Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic doesn’t appear to be in a hurry especially at the negotiating table.
According to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post, the Nuggets star will not sign a contract extension this offseason, opting instead to wait until next year before re-engaging in talks.
Nikola Jokic has told the Nuggets he doesn’t plan to sign a contract extension this offseason 👀
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) July 8, 2025
(via Denver Post)
Jokic is currently under contract through 2027, with a player option worth $62.8 million in the final year of his five-year, $276 million supermax deal signed in 2022.
By delaying extension talks, the former Finals MVP is positioning himself for an even larger payday. According to senior legue insider Bobby Marks, Jokic could become eligible for a four-year extension worth approximately $284 million in 2026, compared to the three-year, $206 million extension he could sign this year.
The decision, while calculated, comes as no surprise around the league as Jokic is coming off another historic 2023–24 campaign.
He averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists — becoming the first center in league history to average a triple-double over a full season. The Serbian big man led the league with 34 trip-dubs and made history with the first-ever 30-20-20 triple-double statline in Denver’s 149–141 overtime win over the Phoenix Suns in March.
Despite Jokic’s brilliance, the Nuggets fell short again and got booted out in the West semifinals for the second straight year — this time by the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a grueling seven-game series.
[ALSO READ: Thunder oust Nuggets with dominant Game 7 performance]
The loss triggered a major shake-up in Denver, with the team parting ways with head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth. David Adelman was promoted to head coach, while Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace were elevated to lead the front office.
[ALSO READ: Nuggets sack Mike Malone, GM Calvin Booth in another late-season shocker]
Since then, the Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cam Johnson, brought back Bruce Brown, and added veteran guard Tim Hardaway Jr. during the ongoing free agency period.
[ALSO READ: Nuggets trade Michael Porter Jr., sign returning Bruce Brown on one-year deal—reports]
Denver also traded for center Jonas Valanciunas to provide interior relief for Jokic — though Valanciunas is reportedly considering overseas offers.
[ALSO READ: Nuggets trade deal in jeopardy as Jonas Valanciunas reportedly eyeing play overseas]
