Michael Malone and the Nuggets have agreed on a contract extension that will make him one of the NBA’s highest paid coaches, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Malone’s new deal comes five months after guiding Denver to its first NBA title. During the Nuggets’ championship run, they posted a 16-4 mark while taking down the Timberwolves, Suns, Lakers and Heat in the process.
Currently, the Nuggets (8-2) sit atop the Western Conference through 10 games of the 2023-24 NBA season. Although a small sample size of games, the Nuggets remain a legitimate contender to repeat as NBA champion this season behind two-time MVP Nikola Jokić.
The details of Malone’s extension have not been reported yet. The NBA’s top five highest paid coaches this season are the Spurs’ Gregg Popovich ($16 million), Pistons’ Monty Williams ($13.05 million), Warriors’ Steve Kerr ($9.5 million), Heat’s Erik Spoelstra ($8.5 million) and Pacers’ Rick Carlisle ($7.25 million). Malone’s new salary is expected to be similar in value.
Malone has recorded a 375-272 regular-season record and a postseason mark of 37-31 with Denver. The 52-year-old boasts the fourth-longest-tenure among NBA coaches behind Popovich, Spoelstra and Kerr.
