Nikola Jokic just made it clear he’s not going anywhere. After Serbia’s World Cup Qualifier win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Denver Nuggets star told reporters he plans to finish his career with the franchise and sign a contract extension in the summer of 2027.
That timeline matters. A lot.
If Jokic signed an extension this summer, he’d be looking at four years and roughly $278 million. But if he waits until 2027, he’s eligible for a five-year deal worth $359.5 million, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. That would be the largest contract in NBA history, period.
So why wait? Simple. Money.
The Nuggets aren’t in any rush, and neither is Jokic. He’s already the best player in franchise history, no debate needed. He led Denver to its first championship in 2023, won three MVP awards, and hasn’t finished lower than second in MVP voting over the last six seasons. That’s a run that puts him in rare air alongside guys like LeBron James and Larry Bird.
Jokic’s numbers are getting absurd
The guy taken 41st overall in the 2014 draft keeps getting better. An eight-time All-Star now, Jokic just posted back-to-back seasons averaging a triple-double. Only Russell Westbrook has done that before. This past season, Jokic put up 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 10.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game, shooting nearly 57 percent from the floor and 38 percent from three. Those are video game numbers.
And the Nuggets have to be thrilled he wants to stay. In an era where stars force trades and switch teams every few years, Jokic has played his entire career in Denver. That kind of loyalty is rare, especially for a top-tier MVP talent.
There’s no indication the Nuggets plan to trade him or that Jokic has any second thoughts. The organization has built around him well, even if last season ended earlier than they wanted. Denver is still a contender as long as Jokic is in the lineup.
So yeah, the largest contract in NBA history is probably coming. Just not for another three years. And both sides seem fine with that.
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