Nikola Jokic seems to be enjoying the lengthy recreation.
The three-time NBA MVP has reportedly knowledgeable the Denver Nuggets that he won’t signal an extension with the crew this low season, per The Denver Submit on Tuesday.
Jokic is eligible to signal a three-year max extension price roughly $206 million as of Tuesday, however based on NBA insider Marc Stein, the star huge man prefers to delay extension talks till subsequent summer season.
His resolution would not come as a lot of a shock, contemplating Jokic is just within the third yr of his present five-year, $276 million max deal (per Spotrac). By ready till after the 2025-26 season, Jokic shall be eligible to signal a four-year extension that might make him an estimated $80 million greater than if he inked a deal this low season.
By forgoing an extension, the seven-time all-star additionally will get himself nearer to unrestricted free company ought to he select. He is signed by means of the 2027-28 season however has a participant choice for that closing yr.
When the time comes, the Nuggets will presumably provide Jokic that profitable contract extension with little hesitation, provided that he stays among the finest gamers within the NBA. The 30-year-old is coming off averages of 29.6 factors, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists and 1.8 steals on 57.6/41.7/80.0 taking pictures splits by means of 70 regular-season appearances — ending second in MVP voting. Jokic additionally put up 26.2 factors, 12.7 rebounds, 8.0 rebounds and a couple of.0 steals by means of 14 playoff video games as Denver pushed the eventual champion Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder to seven video games within the West semis.
In the meantime, till any future contract talks with the franchise star happen, the Nuggets entrance workplace has been busy nonetheless. Denver traded Michael Porter Jr. and his $38 million cap hit to the Brooklyn Nets in trade for Cameron Johnson, and the required wage house to signal Bruce Brown Jr. and Tim Hardaway Jr., and purchase Jonas Valanciunas from the Kings. A lot-needed additions, as Denver’s lack of depth was obvious all yr, rating within the backside 5 for bench scoring by means of the regular-season and playoffs.
All of which have been strikes that Jokic was reportedly “very happy” with, based on ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on Monday.
Solely time will inform if he was so glad with the Nuggets’ future outlook that he in the end agrees to stay round — a call we now know he will not make for a bit longer.
