The Denver Nuggets are in a tricky situation this 2024-25 NBA season. While their franchise star, Nikola Jokic, is having one of the best seasons of his career, the team hasn’t found a lot of success. The Nuggets are fifth in the Western Conference with a 47-32 record. This also caused the organization to part ways with head coach Michael Malone with three games left into the regular season.
Based on how the roster is built, Jokic tends to do most of the work himself. Given that he hasn’t had a teammate who is an All-Star, the Serbian big man is mostly the focal point of Malone’s system in Denver. Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins pointed out this aspect of the three-time MVP’s career. He said it should be enough for the Nuggets to make changes and give him help.
“Do you realize that Jokic in his career hasn’t played with another All-Star? Never,” Perkins said. “Russ don’t count at this point. He’s past those stages, past his prime.
“When are you gonna help him out? I think, I’m looking at a guy like Jamal Murray and if I’m the Denver Nuggets, I’m actually trying to move away from him this offseason.”
"Jokic in his career hasn't played with another All-Star."@KendrickPerkins weighs in on Nikola Jokic's teammates. pic.twitter.com/AZXQJY9Ne5
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 9, 2025
Although Jokic has had All-Star teammates, the players have always been past their primes. Russell Westbrook hasn’t been the star player he once was for the last four seasons before signing with Denver over the summer.
Even Paul Millsap, who was a four-time All-Star, was past his prime when he shared the court with Jokic. He joined the Nuggets after making his final All-Star appearance while a member of the Atlanta Hawks. Many thought point guard Jamal Murray would emerge as an All-Star after they won the 2023 championship, but his injuries have held him back from achieving such a feat.
How did Jokic react after the Denver Nuggets fired Malone and general manager Calvin Booth?
The Denver Nuggets’ decision to fire Malone and general manager Calvin Booth came as a surprise to many. However, many wondered how Nikola Jokic reacted to the news about the significant changes to the team. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Jokic was informed about the move.
“My understanding is as soon as the decisions were made to make these firings, (Nuggets CEO) Josh Kroenke called Nikola Jokic (and) informed him of the decisions,” Charania said.
“Nikola Jokic, I’m told, understood. This franchise, what was going on right now, it was in a bad place, and he understood the organization’s ownership’s move.”
“They felt this team needed a jolt to end the season. Going into the playoffs, they want to inject this team with some life.” @ShamsCharania shares insights on why Nuggets ownership decided to fire head coach Michael Malone, and how Nikola Jokic might respond. pic.twitter.com/oZ8LIh4ljQ
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 10, 2025
Since the firing, the Nuggets have appointed David Adelman as the interim head coach heading into the postseason.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
