Tony Jones, Sam Amick and Zach Powell of The Athletic reported that "league sources said there had been significant frustration within the locker room at how the Nuggets were playing, particularly defensively. The Nuggets were just 20th in defensive rating. Jokić has been frustrated with the team’s defensive commitment and performance this season."

David Adelman’s father roamed the sidelines of Sacramento in the early 2000s. In an awkward situation this week, it was at least poetic that Adelman’s opportunity as the Nuggets’

"Jokic was privy to the decision [firing Malone] before it was announced, and there was not an objection, people familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the team’s internal operations."