For better or worse, the Denver Nuggets live and die by Nikola Jokic, who many consider the best player in the world right now. So, as they attempt to keep their title window open, retaining the Serbian center is all but a necessity. In fact, Jokic is largely responsible for the Nuggets first and only championship, which they won in 2023.
That being said, shortly after the start of free agency, Jokic decided to delay talks about a contract extension. The timing was curious. More to the point, after an uncomfortable and uninspiring season that led to the late season firings of President Calvin Booth and head coach Michael Malone, there was question of whether Jokic still thought the Nuggets were the right franchise for him.
Nuggets Exec Opens Up About Nikola Jokic Declining Extension
As it turns out, any concerns about Jokic staying in Denver are much ado about nothing.
“No worry at all,” a Nuggets executive tells Spotrac’s Keith Smith when asked about Jokic’s decision about signing a contract extension. “It’s the smart move from his side, if I’m being honest. He can lock in an extra year next year, which is the way to do it when you are in his position. Same offer, plus one more year, will be there for him a year now from now. He knows that, and we’re all on the same page.”
If Jokic were to agree an extension this year, he would have been “eligible to sign a three-year, $200 million extension,” per ESPN’s Bobby Marks (h/t ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk). In fact, he still technically has “up until Oct. 20” to make that deal if he were to change his mind. However, by opting to wait until 2026, Jokic “is able to add a fourth year at an additional $77 million.”
With that in mind, immediately after the initial report that Jokic wouldn’t sign his extension this year, Nuggets president Josh Kroenke acknowledged that exercising patience would benefit the three-time NBA MVP. Whether or not he’s who Smith spoke to for his offseason write-up is unclear. Nonetheless, Denver is obviously still singing the same tune.
What’s Next For Nuggets?
While much of their core will remain the same, the Nuggets will look a lot different next season.
David Adelman is now the official replacement for Michael Malone, who coached Denver for a decade. Michael Porter Jr., third in franchise history in made 3s, has been traded for Cam Johnson. It appears that Russell Westbrook is out and Bruce Brown Jr. is in as their backup point guard. Seasoned sharpshooter and sixth man Tim Hardaway Jr. is joining the fray. After missing the entire 2024-25 season, 2024 No. 22 pick DaRon Holmes II is bound to be part of the rotation. Even Jokic may be effected, his minutes going down thanks to the arrival of Jonas Valanciunas.
The Nuggets are obviously hoping those changes will benefit them on and off the court after a stressful 2024-25 campaign. To their credit, they’re right to believe they will. However, while they project to be a stronger team than last season, contenders like the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers do as well.
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