Will Nikola Jokic sign an extension with the Denver Nuggets?
Nikola Jokic is eligible for a sign a four-year, $293 million deal this offseason after passing on a four-year $212 million deal last offseason.
Jokic has said that he wants to remain with the Denver Nuggets forever, but until the contract is officially signed, which can't happen until July 1, questions will arise.
Since winning the NBA championship in 2023, the Nuggets have had three straight disappointing seasons, failing to make it back to the Western Conference Finals. This past season was their most disappointing playoff venture yet as they lost in six games to a depleted Minnesota Timberwolves team in the first round.
Doubt Over Jokic Re-Signing?
Appearing on The Kevin O'Connor Show, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps expressed doubt over Jokic signing the extension.
"A few years ago, when he had the first chance to sign this extension, what did he do? He said, ‘I’m going to sign the extension,’ And then he signed it. He may be over in Serbia and just sign the thing on July 1 or whenever he’s officially able to sign it, but that to me is one of the biggest questions of the whole summer. I think he’s going to, but until he says ‘I’m signing it,’ and we see him sign it, I’m at least going to wonder if it’s going to happen or not,”
Jokic is owed $59 million this upcoming season and then has a player option for 2027-28 that would pay him $62 million.
Denver seems confident that he will remain on the team, and they have already said that every option is on the table this offseason as they look to improve the team around him.
Should Denver Be Worried?
At the moment, they have to take Jokic's words at face value. He says he wants to remain in Denver and they will present him with the contract when they are legally allowed to.
Unless he doesn't immediately sign it, they have no reason to believe he won't immediately sign it and they will be operating under the assumption that he will sign it. Denver isn't going to change their offseason approach any differently until they get official word from Jokic that he isn't going to sign the extension.
Jokic takes time away from basketball every offseason, whether it's going home to be with his horses or supporting his favorite football club. It shouldn't come as a surprise to fans or experts that Jokic's mind is not on basketball at the moment.
