Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic is putting contract talks on hold, choosing to delay signing a lucrative extension with the Denver Nuggets this summer, according to a source familiar with the situation. The decision, first reported by The Denver Post, was later confirmed to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, as neither Jokic nor the Nuggets have commented publicly.
Jokic became eligible Tuesday to sign a three-year extension worth around $212 million. However, by waiting until next offseason, he can sign a four-year deal worth significantly more under the NBA‘s projected salary cap growth, maximizing his long-term earnings.
No Urgency — Yet
The decision has no immediate effect on Jokic’s standing with the team. The Serbian superstar still has two years left on his current contract, earning $55.2 million this season, $59 million in 2026–27, and holds a player option for 2027–28 worth nearly $63 million.
Josh Kroenke, Vice Chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, hinted earlier this offseason that the organization would offer Jokic both options — signing now or later — and allow him to decide based on full financial transparency.
“We’re also going to explain every financial parameter around him signing now versus signing later,” Kroenke said. “We’ll respect his decision.”
A Historic Year for the Joker
Jokic, 30, is coming off a record-breaking season in which he became the first center in NBA history to average a triple-double:
- 29.6 points
- 12.7 rebounds
- 10.2 assists
He finished runner-up in the MVP race behind Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and posted a franchise-record 34 triple-doubles, including a staggering 61-point triple-double.
In the playoffs, Jokic averaged 26.2 points and 12.7 rebounds, leading the Nuggets past the Clippers in seven games and pushing the eventual champion Thunder to another seven-game series in the conference semifinals.
Turbulent Changes in Denver
Despite Jokic’s brilliance, the 2024–25 season was anything but smooth for Denver. The franchise fired head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth just three games before the end of the regular season. Assistant coach David Adelman took over and has now been appointed as the permanent head coach.
The front office also underwent a makeover, with Ben Tenzer and Jonathan Wallace now serving as co-executive vice presidents, promising a fresh approach to building around Jokic during his championship window.
One bold move came with the breakup of the core lineup. Michael Porter Jr. was traded to Brooklyn for Cam Johnson and a first-round pick, signaling a pivot in team strategy. The Nuggets also brought back Bruce Brown, a key contributor in their 2023 NBA title run, and added veteran shooter Tim Hardaway Jr..
In an under-the-radar trade, ESPN reported that Denver also sent Dario Saric to Sacramento in exchange for veteran center Jonas Valanciunas, expected to serve as Jokic’s primary backup. The move has yet to be officially announced.
Eyes on the Future — and the Racetrack
Currently spending his offseason in Serbia, Jokic was recently seen celebrating a win by one of his prized racehorses — a hobby that has become a defining element of his off-court identity.
Despite the ongoing reshuffling in Denver, Jokic remains the cornerstone of the franchise — a five-time All-NBA First Team player, 2023 Finals MVP, and the man who delivered the franchise’s first NBA championship.
By delaying his extension, Jokic is not only betting on a bigger payday but signaling confidence in the organization’s ability to retool and compete for more titles.
And when the time comes, all signs point to Jokic staying in Denver — just with a deal that reflects both his value and vision.
