Nuggets Rumors: Russell Westbrook still takes the blame for Michael Malone s fire

NBA rumored that Russell Westbrook was once again the scapegoat for Michael Malone to be fired by the Denver Nuggets. The Denver Nuggets’ disappointing second round of the playoffs has once again raised questions about internal decisions in the 2024-25 season, including the controversial mid-season dismissal of long-time head coach Michael Malone.

In the latest DNVR Nuggets podcast, host Adam Mares said that Russell Westbrook's presence and role in the lineup were important reasons for Malone's departure before the playoffs. Assistant coach David Adelman served as the team's head coach before the playoffs.

The Nuggets lost 95-123 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 and were eventually eliminated, and the dream of winning this season ended.

"Russell Westbrook took over Aaron Gordon to replace Christian Braun...I heard that it really bothered the team because Christian Braun has done a great job this season and started a great start. Aaron Gordon is the Nuggets and he has paid so much time for the team," Mares said.

"But I think Westbrook's character is tricky, and Malone made a political choice on this matter, thinking it was the path with the least resistance, and if Westbrook was on my side...it would be a good thing for me, not just temporary, but long-term. I said the other day that this is the beginning of the end," he added.

Russell Westbrook's role shift has exacerbated tensions among the Nuggets and also exacerbated Michael Malone's sent-off.

It is reported that despite the team's outstanding record, Malone has been under tremendous pressure throughout the season after leading the team to win the first NBA championship in 2023.

"I think this pressure has been brewing for a long time. I think Michael Malone is in the same situation throughout the season. If the team wins, he might still be able to keep his job; otherwise, he will be out of class. I think the team was thinking at the time, 'What the hell is going on?'" Mares continued.

"Because the general attacker and cornerback have done their duty, this guy is also excellent, but why has he been promoted to this position now? I think it made them lose the division championship. I think it's a very typical Michael Malone-like move."

36-year-old Westbrook completed his 17th NBA season with the Nuggets. He played 75 games in total, including 36 starts, averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals. He shot 44.9% from the field and 32.3% from three-pointers.

Westbrook has player options for the 2025-26 season. After Game 7, Denver Gazette reporter Vinny Benedetto tried to interview the experienced defender and asked him about his plans for player options.

"I tried to call Russell Westbrook to the locker room to see if he had decided on the player options for next season. He looked at the watch and asked me what to wear tomorrow. I said I didn't know, he said 'completely correct' and walked away," Benedetto wrote on X (original Twitter).

While Westbrook's future remains unclear, his tenure with the Nuggets has attracted increasing criticism, especially as the team is trying to reassess its direction after another early exit in the playoffs.