I do agree that it's becoming a norm now, but still firing the coach prior to the playoff is a disaster for the Nuggets and we can say that their championship dream is over now as the team's moral is down. Although we have heard that there is a clash between the two, but it seems that the management was not able to patch their difference. Imagine if this is the same case now with the Mavs, they traded their best player and the coach was caught off guard and could have disagreement with that? For sure we might have heard of Jason Kidd being fired as well. But the culture in Nuggets might have been different though and we can't compare franchises.
Malone got fired but you can guarantee that he will have a job in a second if he wants it. He's probably already had 10 calls from teams because they know he is a winning coach. NBA is weird this year and we are seeing a lot of huge moves. Luka Doncic traded, Anthony Davis traded, Mike Malone fired, and the Grizzlies fired their head coach as well.
Noone feels safe anymore and I kinda like it. Everyone got traded or fired for different reasons, but perform or be replaced is the new policy.
Many got surprise about what happen but there are rumors that Lakers want to get him and became the assistant coach of Reddick. Also this is the rumored or potential teams which Malone could go
For sure he will be a big additions to that team since that coach have a championship experience. To many surprising things happen in this season and this really indicate that no spot on teams is secured.
That's how the NBA became more exciting since the drama raise the interest of people to watch their games.