Denver’s Brain Drain: Why the Nuggets Let Go of the Man Behind Nikola Jokić’s Dynasty

The Denver Nuggets have recently made a significant front-office change by parting ways with Assistant General Manager Tommy Balcetis, ending a long tenure that began in 2013. Balcetis, a Harvard graduate with a background in economics and business consulting, was a key figure in the Nuggets' rise over the past decade, contributing extensively to analytics, scouting, and salary cap strategy.Tommy Balcetis joined the Denver Nuggets after initially working for the NBA in Europe and Africa, where he managed media rights distribution. His transition to the Nuggets came through a connection with Tim Connelly, then the New Orleans Pelicans assistant GM, whom Balcetis met at a Basketball Without Borders event in Moscow. When Connelly took over the Nuggets front office in 2013, he brought Balcetis on board to help build the organization’s analytics capabilities from the ground up, as the NBA was just beginning to embrace advanced data analytics in team-building.

Over the years, Balcetis climbed the ranks within the Nuggets organization, evolving from managing basketball analytics to becoming Assistant GM in 2020. He played a vital role in shaping the Nuggets' roster, including supporting the general manager in key decisions that led to the team’s 2023 NBA championship. His expertise in analytics and salary cap management was instrumental in maintaining a competitive and deep roster around superstar Nikola Jokić.

Despite his long service and contributions, Tommy Balcetis was passed over for the general manager position after the firing of Calvin Booth in 2025. Instead, Ben Tenzer, a Denver Nuggets veteran front-office member with over 15 years of experience and a strong background in salary cap expertise, was named interim GM. Tenzer also serves as GM of the Nuggets’ G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gold, and is considered a leading candidate for the permanent GM role.The Nuggets owner, Josh Kroenke, has taken an active role in the front office during this transitional period, serving as interim president of basketball operations and overseeing the search for a new GM. Kroenke has emphasized the importance of maintaining the team’s competitive edge while balancing input from star players like Jokić, though ultimate decisions rest with the front office.Also read: Dallas Mavericks Exploring Backup Plans If Kyrie Irving Walks in Free Agency: Trade Targets RevealedTommy Balcetis’s departure marks the end of an era for the Denver Nuggets’ front office, which has been defined by a strong analytical approach and steady roster building. The team now faces a pivotal offseason to determine its leadership and future direction as it seeks to build on recent success and remain a championship contender.