Superstar center Nikola Jokic has technically been able to reach a tentative agreement on a long-term extension to remain with the Nuggets since the day after the NBA Finals ended. But that hasn’t happened yet, and there’s a chance an extension may not happen at all this offseason, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
As Stein and Fischer write, Jokic opted against signing an extension last year, preferring instead to wait until this summer. The belief at the time was that the 31-year-old wanted to secure a more lucrative deal, but the authors hear Jokic doesn’t feel any urgency to sign an extension right now, since the same contract will likely be on the table again next summer.
Jokic is set to earn $59MM in 2026/27, followed by a $62.8MM player option in ’27/28.
Jokic, who is currently training with the Serbian national team ahead of the July qualifying window for the 2027 World Cup, said repeatedly after Denver was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs that he wanted to be a “Nugget forever.” Executive vice president of basketball operations Ben Tenzer was asked about Jokic earlier this week, Stein and Fischer note.
“We just can’t comment on (extension talks) because of the league rules, but you’ve heard what he’s said about his happiness here,” Tenzer said when asked about where the franchise stands with its star. “We feel really comfortable with that relationship.”
It’s obviously possible that Jokic could change his mind at some point in the coming weeks, but it sounds as though he’s giving real consideration to postponing the extension talks again until 2027.
Jokic had another remarakable regular season in ’25/26, averaging 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 10.7 assists and 1.4 steals in 65 games (34.8 minutes per contest). He was highly efficient, as usual, posting a shooting line of .569/.380/.831.
On top of leading the NBA in both rebounds and assists per game, Jokic finished runner-up in MVP voting for the second straight year. The three-time MVP has now finished first or second in MVP voting each of the past six seasons, joining Bill Russell and Larry Bird as the only other players to accomplish that feat.
As productive as Jokic was in the regular season, he didn’t have a great playoff showing in the first-round loss to Minnesota. His counting stats look strong (25.8 PPG, 13.2 PPG, 9.5 APG, 1.0 SPG), but he struggled with efficiency (.446/.194/.930 slash line), and the Wolves had no qualms about attacking the paint when he was in the game.
Sources tell The Stein Line that the Nuggets are actively exploring trade possibilities in an effort to upgrade their roster around Jokic.
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