Nikola Jokic Postpones Extension Talks with the Nuggets
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has decided not to seek a contract extension this summer, postponing negotiations until next summer, according to a league source. Jokic has three years remaining on a five-year, $276 million contract extension he signed in the summer of 2022. The three-time MVP has a player option in the final year of the contract, worth $62.8 million in the 2027-28 season. According to Bobby Marks, Jokic is eligible to sign a three-year extension for $200 million until October 20. The first year of the extension would have replaced his player option. By waiting until the 2026 offseason to work on an extension, the Nuggets star can add a fourth year with an additional $77 million.The Nuggets have made several changes in recent months in the hope of improving around Jokic. They replaced Michael Malone with David Adelman as head coach and replaced general manager Calvin Booth with Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace. Tenzer and Wallace traded Michael Porter Jr. for Brooklyn’s Cameron Johnson and agreed to send Dario Saric to Sacramento for Jonas Valanciunas to back up Jokic. They also got back Bruce Brown, who helped the Nuggets win a title in 2023, and signed Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency.We’re definitely going to offer it. I’m not sure if he’ll accept it or not, because we’re also going to explain every financial parameter around him signing now versus him signing later. To be completely transparent, that’s how we always are. And then he makes the best decision for him and his family, and we’ll support him.
Josh Kroenke, Nuggets chairman
