In a surprising turn of events, Nikola Jokic has opted not to sign a contract extension with the Denver Nuggets this offseason, choosing instead to push off discussions until next summer. Team sources reveal that this decision comes despite the Nuggets presenting him with potentially lucrative options that could add up to three years and $212 million to his existing supermax deal.
Currently, Jokic has at least two years left on his contract, along with a player option for the 2027-28 season. While the latest negotiation window opened Tuesday, the allure of a significant financial gain—an estimated additional $80 million—loomed large should he choose to wait until the 2026 offseason to explore contract talks.
Nuggets leadership, including KSE vice chairman Josh Kroenke, had anticipated this decision. Kroenke mentioned in June, “We’re definitely going to offer it. I’m not sure if he’s going to accept it or not, because we’re also going to explain every financial parameter around him signing now versus signing later. To be completely transparent, that’s the way we always are.” It’s clear that the Nuggets are supporting Jokic in making the best decision for himself and his family.
At just 30 years old, Jokic has just wrapped up a career year that further solidified his place among the greats. He became only the third player, and the first center, in NBA history to average a triple-double over an entire season, finishing with impressive averages of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. His remarkable performance saw him finish second in MVP voting—only behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—a noteworthy accomplishment that made him the first player since the legendary Larry Bird to place in the top two in MVP voting for five consecutive seasons.
Despite this individual success, the Nuggets have faced challenges in the postseason, having been eliminated in the second round in back-to-back years since capturing their first NBA title in 2023. Following their Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jokic candidly acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, stating that Denver simply wasn’t good enough to win a championship. He also noted that teams like the Thunder and Indiana had superior depth, a sentiment that resonated with Kroenke, who later remarked that he heard those comments “loud and clear.”
In response to these challenges, the Nuggets have been proactive in reshaping their roster, adding four new players through trades and free agency. A key move includes the recent trade that sent Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cam Johnson. This roster overhaul comes in tandem with a new head coaching approach under David Adelman and an evolved front-office leadership team featuring Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace.
As the Nuggets prepare for the upcoming season, Jokic’s decision not to extend his contract right now raises intriguing questions about the franchise’s direction and aspirations. However, one thing is clear: with Jokic at the helm and a refreshed roster, the Nuggets remain a team to watch as they aim to reclaim their championship glory.
