Nikola Jokić just made every Denver Nuggets fan hold their breath. The three-time MVP could pocket an extra $80 million by waiting one more year to sign his extension, but that gamble leaves the door cracked open for other teams to make their pitch.
For a franchise that’s built everything around their Serbian superstar, this isn’t just about money — it’s about whether Denver can keep one of the best centers in the league happy enough to stay home.
Why Is Nikola Jokić Passing on $212 Million Right Now?
According to The Denver Post’s Bennett Durando, the Serbian big man will not sign a contract extension this offseason. Tuesday marked the first day the Nuggets could offer an extension to Jokić, but “The Joker” is betting on himself instead.
The extension would have added up to three years and $212 million to his current deal. However, Jokić is opting to secure a bigger payday down the line. He still has two seasons remaining on his current supermax deal, earning $55 million in the 2025-26 season, $59 million the following year, and $62 million in 2027-28, in which he has a player option for that season.
The math behind Jokić’s decision becomes clear when you look at the bigger picture. The 2023 Finals MVP can earn an additional $80 million by pushing off this extension until the 2026 offseason. He could ink a four-year deal instead of a three-year one by waiting to sign the extension next summer. That extension would run until 2031, when Jokić, currently 30, will be 36.
Denver’s front office saw this coming. In June, Nuggets governor Josh Kroenke met with the media and offered insight into Jokić’s contract situation, anticipating that he might delay signing the extension.
“We’re definitely going to offer it,” Kroenke said. “I’m not sure if he’s going to accept it or not, because we’re also going to explain every financial parameter around him signing now versus signing later.”
He added, “To be completely transparent, that’s the way we always are. And then he makes the best decision for himself and his family, and we’ll support him in it.”
What Makes This Gamble Worth the Risk for Jokić?
While this represents a gamble for any player, someone of Jokić’s caliber can take these chances because of his track record and the fact that he’s showing no signs of slowing down. In the 2024-25 season, “The Joker” accomplished something no center has done in NBA history.
He stands alone as the only center to average a triple-double over an entire season, putting up a career-high 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and a career-best 10.2 assists. That historic performance only strengthens his position heading into contract negotiations.
Nuggets fans would surely hope Jokić signs as soon as possible to ensure they have him for the next three to five years. However, the decision to delay this extension opens a slight chance of another team swooping in to lure him away from Denver. Reports have already surfaced about the Lakers’ “dream” of pairing Luka Dončić with Jokić in Los Angeles.
This seems like a pipe dream, and the most realistic scenario is that Jokić signs his extension next year. Still, Denver’s front office needs to surround him with players who help them stay in championship contention. The organization must prove it can build a title-worthy roster around its franchise cornerstone before he hits the open market.