After just five games into the San Antonio Spurs’ once-promising 2024-25 NBA season, legendary head coach Gregg Popovich suffered a mild stroke and has spent the rest of the season rehabbing, aiming for a return.
While he has made it clear that he wishes he could come back next season, he considers it a “disservice” if he steps back on the sidelines while not being 100 percent.
Fans have had to grapple with the fact that Popovich might not ever return, and names like Chris Paul, Manu Ginobili, James Borrego, Mike Budenholzer, and Becky Hammon have all been floated by fans.
In recent days, the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor Jenkins and the Denver Nuggets fired Michael Malone. Both coaches have found success with their old teams, and both will likely be commodities this offseason.
According to one league insider, the Spurs have their sights set on the 2023 NBA champion.
Keep a close eye on Michael Malone being Gregg Popovich's successor in San Antonio.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) April 8, 2025
Malone has never served on a Popovich coaching staff, but the two are very close.
“He was so influential in me getting a job in Cleveland with Mike Brown and Danny Ferry years ago,” said Malone on The Lowe Posttwo years ago. “He was instrumental in helping me get a job [with] Monty Williams in New Orleans…I would not have ever become a head coach in the NBA if it wasn’t for Gregg Popovich.”
Malone helped develop Nikola Jokic into the best player in the world and seemed to have a great relationship with the superstar, and there is reason to believe he could do the same with Victor Wembanyama.
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