What Jokic’s super-max contract means for the Nuggets going forward

The good news for the Denver Nuggets as free agency begins is that center, Nikola Jokic, is staying put in Denver. With the franchise big man committing to a long-term extension with the franchise that drafted him 41st overall during a Taco Bell commercial.

Jokic, off the heels of a second consecutive league MVP and first team All-NBA selection, is expected to sign a five-year, $260 million extension, according to The Athletic.

Nikola Jokic is still owed $32.5 million next year from his original deal, so, this new extension will kick in following the 2022-23 NBA season.

Jokic’s deal is the league super-max contract for a player of his position, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league. When this contract gets signed, Jokic will be paid somewhere in the range of $40 million to $60 million by the end of the 2027-28 regular season.

Despite the recent changes to the front office, with former team president, Tim Connelly, the man responsible in drafting Jokic in 2014, accepting the same position with their Northwest division rival, Minnesota Timberwolves. Jokic believes the team is in great shape and feels comfortable enough to stick around in hopes of bringing the franchise their first world championship.

Nikola Jokic has stated since the season ended, following their first-round exit to the eventual champion, Golden State Warriors, that even while the deal would be great, his primary focus is on the future and winning the Larry O’Brien trophy.

"“I would like it, of course, but it’s not something that I’m deciding.”  “I think of course if it’s offered — if (the) offer is on the table — of course I’m going to accept it because I really like the organization and really like the people who work here.”“I’m in (a) really good relationship with people who work here, and a good relationship with everybody from the owner to, let’s say, the equipment manager,” he continued. “I think we have something that we’re building. It actually feels really good.”"

With the Denver Nuggets cornerstone locked in for years to come, the culture is established. Meaning that the players and coaches can stay locked in on the upcoming season in pursuit of making Denver champions again and bringing the Larry O’Brien trophy to the Mile High City for the first time ever.

With the Colorado Avalanche having just won the Stanley Cup, the Colorado Mammoth winning the National Lacrosse League title and the Los Angeles Rams winning the Super Bowl. The Denver Nuggets’ CEO, Josh Kroenke, should have all the motivation in the world now that he’s seen all of the other family-owned sports teams succeed. Witnessing the formula of bringing and spending more money to help turn a contender into a champion.

The hope now is that they can take it to the hardwood and bring those sky-high expectations to reality.

Following the departure of Connelly to the Timberwolves, even Kroenke said during a press conference that the mentality for this team is to win it all right now.

"“We’re entering a new phase of the organization, and with this squad in particular, which is: it’s championship or bust. And this is the first time those words have been uttered around these halls, I think,” Kroenke said. “We have a two-time MVP, we have two more All-Star-caliber players coming off injuries,” Kroenke said. “And I think that we are poised in a way that perhaps this organization hasn’t been in the past.“And that excites me. But that brings a lot of pressure. We’re no longer the underdog that’s kind of the lovable guys that are bouncing along from Denver, Colorado. I think that when we get healthy and show what we’re capable of we will have a target on our back.”"

Denver Nuggets: What does the Nikola Jokic deal mean going forward?

Now that the commitment level is there for the Denver Nuggets, the next biggest hurdle for the team to put a contender in place will be the salary cap.

Already this offseason, the Nuggets have shed some salary by trading JaMychal Green to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and moving on from longtime franchise pieces, Monte Morris and Will Barton. Sending them to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Ish Smith and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

The Denver Nuggets were prepared to dip into the luxury tax, but these moves, in preparation for Nikola Jokic’s payday, makes it seem like Denver might make moves this offseason. Looking into the cost of the bottom line will also shedding salary to make room for at least one big signing.

The majority of the team’s salary is with their core group of players. Outside of Jokic, the team also has to deal with Jamal Murray‘s latest extension, Michael Porter Jr.’s massive contract, and Aaron Gordon’s annual salary of $21.6 million.

So, there won’t be much wiggle room to make a big splash in free agency. Even though most players who may look to win a ring see potential in Denver due to the amount of young, All-Star talent and the exceptional coaching of Michael Malone. It would be hard to sell NBA stars on signing in Denver compared to other franchises in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Chicago, Golden State and other major markets. Particularly with the team’s salary constraints.

Once Nikola Jokic’s deal is done, the Nuggets will have a negative salary cap, close to a value of nearly $50 million under. Hopefully, as the league’s salary cap goes up from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it can give the Denver Nuggets a little more leeway to fill any additional holes they miss this season. Or go out and get an elite free agent in next year’s class.

The deal should bring what Nikola Jokic and Nuggets fans want to see; a full fledged effort to make the Denver Nuggets legitimate contenders. Standing at the podium holding up all the trophies as champions.

It’s great when the front office of any organization does what they can to keep their cornerstone player happy and maintain the mentally of a championship team by making the moves necessary to put the team over the top.

In the past, it has been painful to see what happens in the case of not putting your best efforts to build a winning franchise around your top player. They can leave in free agency, demand a trade and basically send the team back to the drawing board for a full-on rebuild.

When you look at some of the moves general manager, Calvin Booth, has made so far this offseason, from the drafting of Christian Braun and Peyton Watson to his first two trades as head of basketball operations. It may seem aggressive or questionable to call these the “right moves” or if they will be 100 percent great to the overall team. Although, the product will be shown on the court this upcoming season.

Seeing the front office respond to this means they are all in, and it’s great to see.

If the GM Booth feels the pressure, he said it’s just about time to make room at Ball Arena for another championship trophy.

"“When we talk about Nikola, the MVP of the league, I’m the steward … of his peak years. You want to optimize those and take advantage of those. I don’t feel the pressure. I’m excited for the opportunity. I want to be able to help him in the way he’s helped our organization and everybody in it.”"

For better or worse, this is the situation the Nuggets are in. Locked in with their back-to-back Serbian MVP, Nikola Jokic, with returning reinforcements from Porter Jr., Murray and their promising young core spearheaded by Bones Hyland. On top of newcomers, KCP and Ish Smith.

This is a team that, when healthy, can put the rest of the teams in the Western Conference on notice. Making them aware that the Denver Nuggets are coming and will be hunting for the top of the NBA’s mountain top until the job is done.