Report: Nikola Jokic did not request changes of Nuggets brass

Nikola Jokic’s first game in the NBA playing for a coach under than Micheal Malone will be on Wednesday when the Denver Nuggets meet the Sacramento Kings.

But the shocking change atop the Nuggets as they attempt to swerve out of a skid was not Jokic’s doing, according to a report from Matt Moore of the Action Network. He spells out that Jokic did not request a change and was informed of the decision just before the public announcement. Though Moore later clarified that Jokic was likely consulted in recent days but he just did not request it.

Nikola Jokic was informed of the decision earlier today before it was announced today, per sources.

Jokic HAD *NOT* requested a change in front office or coaching, though his evident frustration with this season played a part in ownership's decision-making process.

— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) April 8, 2025

The three-time MVP has become visibly frustrated with his team and teammates for the first time in his career this season. This came to a head on Friday in Golden State when Jokic started gesturing early in the fourth quarter. But there’s been an underlying tone of Jokic’s distaste all season long. He called out his teammates after a loss to the lowly Wizards, saying Serbia if his peers did that they would lose some of their salary. Later in the season, Jokic made a rare verbal case for MVP, saying he felt he was playing the best basketball of his career.

Nikola Jokic on the Nuggets bench 👀 pic.twitter.com/5QqW2APupq

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) April 5, 2025

Jokic’s agent even made a rare trip to Denver last week, seeing the tipping-point game of the Nuggets season where they lost in double overtime to Minnesota despite a 61-point triple-double from the big man. Also on the way out is Calvin Booth, who was responsible for the degrading roster around Jokic which has put even more stress on the big man.

The Nuggets have fallen dangerously close to the Play-In and have three games left to stop a four-game skid before the postseason. David Adelman now leads Denver, and he’s largely been in charge of the offense that Jokic has operated so well for so many years.