Nuggets Star Was Almost Traded Last Offseason

The Denver Nuggets shocked the NBA world on Tuesday by firing general manager Calvin Booth and head coach Michael Malone. Booth and Malone helped the franchise win the 2023 championship against the Miami Heat. 

It appears Denver's ownership group knew what it was doing when it decided to fire Booth and Malone, as the Nuggets are 2-0 since parting ways with both men. Denver has defeated the Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies under interim head coach David Adelman. 

The Nuggets weren't able to defend their championship last season, as they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the playoffs in seven games. The team then lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic in free agency. 

Booth not only let Caldwell-Pope walk in free agency last offseason, but he almost traded Nikola Jokic's point guard, Jamal Murray. 

According to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post, Booth explored trading Murray and Michael Porter Jr. 

"Malone grew increasingly frustrated with roster construction after the Nuggets forsook their right to match contract offers for Caldwell-Pope, sources said," Durando wrote. "The veteran guard ultimately signed with the Orlando Magic for three years and $66 million. Booth believed the sacrifice of KCP and other, more significant pivots could be necessary to win a second championship. He even explored trades involving Jamal Murray last offseason and Porter during this season, league sources told The Post."