DENVER (AP) In a shocking turn of events, Josh Kroenke, the president of the Denver Nuggets, announced on Monday that he had made the difficult decision to part ways with head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth. This decision comes just days after the Nuggets secured their seventh consecutive playoff berth and less than two years after they celebrated the franchises first championship parade.

During a press conference, Kroenke candidly expressed that he had hesitated to make these moves on two occasions in the past year. In November, he considered firing both Malone and Booth due to a lackluster start to the season but ultimately decided to give the team more time to gel. Kroenke was also swayed by an impressive eight-game winning streak leading up to the NBA All-Star break. However, he reflected on that streak as a potential masking of deeper issues. Only one of those eight wins came against a playoff-bound team, he noted, referring to a victory over the Orlando Magic, who currently hold the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Kroenke emphasized that the winning streak led him to overlook troubling trends that were brewing behind the scenes, which ultimately affected the organizations performance as the season progressed. I think that those eight games masked a trend that was going on behind closed doors, he said. This internal discord between Malone and Booth had been simmering for a while, with their differing philosophies on team roster management contributing to a toxic atmosphere that hindered the teams success.

Despite leading the Nuggets to their first championship in 47 seasons, the ongoing disputes between the two had reached a breaking point. Kroenke acknowledged the difficult decision he faced, stating, For both of them, it wasnt easy. But it was necessary to restore a healthy environment. Under interim coach David Adelman, the Nuggets managed to sweep their final three games of the season, which not only solidified their playoff position but also marked their third consecutive season with 50 or more wins. The team is set to open the playoffs at home against the fifth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers.

Looking ahead, Kroenke announced that he would be commencing a search for both a new head coach and general manager after the conclusion of the playoffs. However, he refrained from stating whether he preferred to hire a GM before finding a new coach, saying, My thoughts arent there because this seasons not over. He did promote Ben Tenzer to interim general manager to navigate the playoff run.

During his nearly 30-minute news conference, Kroenke took a moment to express gratitude toward Malone and Booth, stating, Thank you to both Calvin and Coach Malone. Neither one of them deserved this. He explained that his decision was ultimately aimed at rejuvenating the teams energy as they approached the playoffs. I think we did that over the last three games, Kroenke said, while still acknowledging that there is a long way to go.

One significant factor influencing Kroenkes decision was the desire to maximize the potential of star player Nikola Jokic, who is regarded as the centerpiece of the Nuggets roster. You have a responsibility when you have a player like that, Kroenke said, referring to Jokic, a three-time MVP. He also remarked on the importance of consulting with Jokic on team matters, stating, Id be the dumbest guy in basketball if I wasnt asking him for his opinion on certain things. But its my responsibility to make those decisions for the best of the organization.

In response to speculation that he was unwilling to trade players not named Jokic, including fellow Missouri alum Michael Porter Jr., Kroenke firmly denied such claims. If it wasnt such a serious accusation, I would probably laugh a little harder, he said. Kroenke emphasized that he is open to exploring all possible trades to improve the team but noted that organizational cohesion is paramount before making any significant moves.

Kroenke also reflected on the broader responsibilities he carries within his familys sports empire, which includes ownership of the Los Angeles Rams, the Colorado Avalanche, and English football club Arsenal. I have a wide array of responsibilities across our businesses at this point, he said. He humorously recounted the emotional rollercoaster of one particular Tuesday, which began with the toughest morning hed experienced in years with the Nuggets, followed by an exhilarating afternoon when Arsenal triumphed over Real Madrid with a 3-0 victory in the Champions League quarterfinals. On a human level, that was a rough Tuesday for me, Kroenke remarked, capturing the ups and downs of sports management.