NBA reporter addresses Nikola Jokic’s future with Denver Nuggets after declining contract extension

The Denver Nuggets came into the offseason hoping to convince Nikola Jokic to remain with the franchise for years to

Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokic
Alonzo Adams-Imagn ImagesAlonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Denver Nuggets came into the offseason hoping to convince Nikola Jokic to remain with the franchise for years to come. After an array of moves to overhaul the rotation, the three-time NBA MVP told the team he wouldn’t sign a contract extension this summer.

NBA reporter Sam Amick of The Athletic said on Sactown Sports 1140 that there are “no signs” Jokic wants out of Denver anytime soon. While he is eligible to hit NBA free agency in 2027, there is no belief that he is even entertaining it right now.

Related: NBA power rankings, see where the Nuggets land

  • Nikola Jokic contract (Spotrac): $55.224 million salary (2025-26). $59.033 million salary (2026-27), $62.841 million player option in 2027

After consecutive seasons of being eliminated in the Western Conference Semifinals, Denver became more aggressive this summer. The team moved off the Michael Porter Jr. contract, upgraded with Cam Johnson, and created the financial flexibility to add more talent to the roster.

Once the deal was official, the Nuggets added Bruce Brown and Jonas Valanciunas to fortify their rotation for next season. All three additions are widely viewed as strong enough for Denver to re-establish itself as one of the elite teams in the Western Conference.

Read More: 50 best NBA players right now, find out where Nikola Jokic ranks

There’s another incentive for Jokic to hold off on a contract extension this summer. By waiting until next year, he’ll be eligible to sign a four-year extension worth upwards of $290 million. It’s a far better return than the three-year, $212 million deal he could’ve signed this offseason.

While NBA teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers are hoping Jokic plays out the final two years of his deal, then tests the open market in 2027, that still seems unlikely to happen. With the moves Denver made this summer to remain a championship contender, there’s no reason to believe Jokic is questioning his future with the team.

Related Headlines

Category: General Sports