Nikola Jokic made his intentions clear after Denver’s unexpectedly early playoff exit: “I still want to be a Nugget forever.”
Since then, some people wanted to read into Jokic not signing an extension with the Nuggets this offseason, but Jokic — after playing for Serbia in a FIBA World Cup qualifying game yesterday — once again was unequivocal.
Jokic has two years and $121.9 million left on his current contract, with the final year of that deal being a player option.
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Here’s why he’s going to wait: Right now, and through the end of next season, Jokic can sign a four-year, $278 million max extension; if he waits until next summer, he can sign a historic five-year, $359.5 million deal — the largest in NBA history. And he could get a no-trade clause.
Jokic is coming off a season in which he averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game — averaging a triple-double — and he finished second in MVP voting. While he struggled in the playoffs with his 3-pointer and defense, a big part of that is the roster around him needs to be improved. Bottom line, he is a top-three player in the world in his prime, and the Nuggets are going to pay up.
Just next summer.
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