Tag: Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic confirms plans to sign next contract

By: @OOSSports

Nikola Jokic confirms when he plans to sign next NBA contract

Nikola Jokic has no plans to leave the Denver Nuggets.

He simply intends to wait a little longer before signing his next contract.

Following a FIBA World Cup qualifying game on Monday, Jokic confirmed he expects to delay signing a long-term extension until the 2027 offseason, when he becomes eligible for an even larger deal.

“My idea and desire is to stay in Denver. I’ll probably sign next year,” Jokic told reporters in Serbian, as reported in an article written by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “… My desire is to play the rest of my life in Denver.”

The financial incentive is significant.

Jokic is eligible to sign a four-year, $278 million extension this offseason. However, by waiting until 2027, the three-time MVP would qualify for a five-year supermax contract worth approximately $359.5 million that also includes a no-trade clause. He also holds a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season.

This is not the first time Jokic has delayed an extension.

He also passed on signing a three-year, $200 million extension in 2025, reinforcing that his decision is driven by timing rather than uncertainty about his future in Denver.

On the court, Jokic continues to perform at an elite level.

The 30-year-old averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists across 65 games last season while finishing second in NBA MVP voting. He has now finished first or second in MVP voting in six consecutive seasons dating back to 2021.

Despite Jokic’s sustained brilliance, the Nuggets have not returned to the Western Conference Finals since capturing the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2023.

Denver now enters another pivotal season with its superstar committed to the organization, even if his next contract remains two years away.

For the Nuggets, Jokic’s latest comments provide reassurance that the face of the franchise still intends to spend the rest of his career in Denver.


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Nikola Jokic Sends Clear Message About Future With Nuggets

Nikola Jokic has never been known for chasing the spotlight. Instead, the three-time MVP continues to build his legacy quietly in Denver. Recent comments from Jokic reinforced that commitment, as the Denver star made it clear he cannot imagine playing anywhere else in the NBA.

The Serbian center has spent his entire career with the Nuggets after being drafted in 2014. During that time, Jokic has transformed the franchise into a perennial contender while capturing multiple MVP awards and delivering the organization’s first NBA championship in 2023. His unique blend of scoring, passing, and basketball IQ has made him one of the most dominant and respected players in the league.

But Jokic’s connection to the city extends far beyond basketball. The superstar center spoke about his life in Denver and why the idea of playing somewhere else simply does not appeal to him. His comments, shared by Yahoo Sports on X, formerly Twitter, via X&O’s Chat, highlighted how deeply rooted he feels within the community and the organization.

“I wouldn’t like to imagine that … I really found peace here. My two kids were born here. Everyone’s here. Peace, home, I found my life here. And I like life here. I don’t feel the need, I don’t have the urge to. We built something here, together as a team.”

The quote reflects the culture Denver has built around Jokic. The organization constructed its roster around his unique playmaking ability, while teammates and coaches have consistently emphasized continuity and trust. That stability has helped the Nuggets remain competitive year after year in the Western Conference.

For Denver fans, Jokic’s message carries significant meaning. In an era where superstar movement often reshapes the league, the franchise centerpiece appears content staying exactly where his career began. As long as Jokic continues leading the way, the Nuggets remain positioned to compete for championships while keeping their generational talent firmly rooted in Denver.

LeBron James meeting with Nikola Jokic’s agent fuels Lakers speculation

LeBron James and Maverick Carter were recently seen with Nikola Jokic’s agent, Misko Raznatovic, raising new questions about the veteran forward’s future with the Lakers.

Raznatovic posted a photo on Instagram with James and Carter, accompanied by a cryptic caption that read, “The summer of 2025 is the perfect time to make big plans for the fall of 2026!” That single line has reignited speculation about what lies ahead for James and whether Los Angeles is preparing for a major shift.

James, 40, opted into the final year of his contract for the 2025-26 season but has long left the door open for a potential trade. Many around the league believe that a move could come sooner rather than later as the franchise looks toward a potential overhaul.

The buzz comes amid reports that Los Angeles could pivot toward a long-term rebuild, freeing cap space to pursue a new superstar as early as next summer. Two names frequently mentioned are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jokic. The front office appears to be positioning itself for a splash in either the 2026 or 2027 offseason.

Jokic, the three-time NBA MVP, continues to elevate his profile as one of the game’s best. The 30-year-old can opt out of his contract in the 2027 offseason, lining up with the Lakers’ potential timeline. Jokic just became the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double across a full season, though he narrowly lost out on the MVP award to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The idea of a future Jokic-James alliance may seem far-fetched, but even the imagery of a meeting like this sends shockwaves throughout the NBA landscape. For a franchise navigating the uncertain twilight of James’ legendary career, every subtle move sparks a new round of speculation.

Whether Los Angeles truly intends to make a run at Jokic in two years or the meeting was simply business as usual remains unclear. But with whispers growing louder, the NBA world will be watching what comes next for James and what this means for the next chapter in the Lakers’ future.

Jonas Valanciunas shuts down rumors with firm message

Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas put any doubts about his NBA future to bed amid reported interest from Greek EuroLeague club Panathinaikos.

“I want to clear the air about my playing situation next season now that Denver has made their decision to keep me,” Valanciunas told Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews. “The idea of playing for Panathinaikos—closer to home—was very exciting to me. But that will have to wait.

“I am fully committed to honoring my contract with the Nuggets this season and will give it my all to compete for a championship.”

Denver acquired the 33-year-old big man from the Sacramento Kings earlier this summer in exchange for Dario Saric.

However, there was some uncertainty about whether Valanciunas would play for the Nuggets after he reportedly traveled to Athens to meet with Panathinaikos.

Valanciunas has two seasons left on his NBA contract, but his $10 million salary for the 2026–27 campaign is non-guaranteed. The Lithuanian’s deal with the Nuggets is binding, and the NBA franchise would have had to buy him out in order for him to join Panathinaikos this upcoming season.

He averaged 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and two assists across 81 appearances with the Kings and Washington Wizards last season. He’s expected to play a significant role in Denver as the backup to three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.