Tensions Mount Around Calvin Booth as Clippers Push Nuggets to Game 7
Each game makes the decision to fire him seem more warranted
With every contest, Denver’s roster flaws become more evident. The decision to fire GM Calvin Booth just three games before the regular season ended shocked the league. Booth had taken over in 2022 and made several key moves that helped lead the Nuggets to their first-ever championship in 2023. But since then, his roster decisions have increasingly come under fire—ranging from questionable to outright damaging.
From the misstep of signing Reggie Jackson and later sacrificing draft picks to move him, to making Dario Saric their major free-agent acquisition, Booth’s marginal decisions have backfired. These misjudgments have caught up with Denver and are on full display in their current struggles.
Denver’s thin roster is dragging them down
Now facing a decisive Game 7, the Nuggets can count on only about six dependable players. The team is heavily reliant on its starters, with minimal contributions from the bench. Peyton Watson, DeAndre Jordan, and Jalen Pickett have seen some playing time, but it’s been limited.
While Denver’s core players are tough and willing to carry a heavy load, the wear and tear are taking a toll. Jamal Murray is playing through an ankle injury, Aaron Gordon is battling a calf issue, Russell Westbrook missed a game due to foot problems, and Michael Porter Jr. is dealing with a shoulder injury that’s severely hampering his play.
The real issue is that the team has nowhere else to turn—there simply isn’t enough playable depth.
Booth’s long-term vision left the present exposed
Booth emphasized patience and building toward a long-term dynasty. His plan was to develop young talent through the draft and maintain flexibility rather than chase short-term glory with consecutive titles.
However, those young prospects just aren’t ready. Players like Watson, Pickett, Julian Strawther, and Zeke Nnaji might have potential down the road, but they’re not playoff contributors right now.
Coach Michael Malone didn’t invest in developing them, and interim coach David Adelman can’t afford to trust them in critical playoff moments. It’s a frustrating and avoidable predicament, yet here the team stands—relying on six players to carry the load, many logging 40+ minutes. If they pull through, it’ll be a testament to their grit, but the situation is undeniably one that Booth helped create.
