Jokic on Denver Contract: I'll Sign Next Year
The Athletic's John Hollinger writes that Denver fears the weaknesses of the rest of the roster could lead Nikola Jokic to change his mind about a contract extension.
Asked by reporters about a contract extension, Nikola Jokic answered in two short sentences during media day: “I will sign next year. If they want me.” The statement came alongside a piece by The Athletic’s John Hollinger, who writes that Denver worries the center could change his mind.
What does Jokic’s contract say, and when can he sign?
Jokic is under contract with the Denver Nuggets through the 2027/28 season, with a player option on the final year. He becomes eligible for an extension next summer, after the season that is about to start, so Denver enters it without a signed extension from its three-time MVP.
Sources differ on what awaits him then. B92 reports that he could sign a four-year extension worth about $280 million, but that waiting would open the door to an even more lucrative five-year deal. Novosti writes that he has publicly said he wants to sign a five-year contract worth about $360 million as soon as next summer. Hollinger himself uses the $360 million figure, as an estimate.
Why is Denver worried?
Hollinger notes that Jokic has insisted he wants to stay, then adds what concerns the club:
“Even though the best player in Denver’s history has insisted he wants to stay and sign a huge five-year contract, estimated at $360 million, there is a legitimate fear that the shortcomings of the rest of the roster could lead him to change his mind,” Hollinger wrote.
The Nuggets ended last season with a first-round playoff exit, and this summer they tried to strengthen the team around their three-time MVP. DeMar DeRozan, Alpha Diallo, Marvin Bagley and Ryan Nembhard arrived, while Tyus Jones stayed on the roster.
What is still open?
No final decision on an extension has been made, either way. Jokic attached a condition to his statement, “if they want me,” and Hollinger points to another: that the team around him be good enough. We wrote earlier about Jokic’s performance in the win over Chicago, a triple-double in 26 minutes.
Denver now waits to see whether the new lineup is competitive enough to get back into the title race and keep Jokic for the long term. Until then, his sentence about signing next year is what remains in play.
