The Denver Nuggets would love nothing more than for Nikola Jokić to stay with the organization for the entirety of his NBA career, so it's a great thing that he's said on multiple occasions that is what he wants to do. He said so most recently on Monday, but he also said that his "idea" is to wait until next summer to sign a new deal.
Nikola Jokic: "My idea is to sign next summer and stay with Denver for the rest of my career."
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) July 6, 2026
📽️ @LjubomirovicM pic.twitter.com/eZ0EDYsltT
To get there, Jokić will have to decline his $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season, making him an unrestricted free agent, and that's enough to worry any Nuggets fan. The reasoning behind waiting makes sense, but still.
Jokić is eligible to sign a four-year, $278 million extension with Denver now, but by waiting until next offseason, he will be eligible to sign a five-year, $360 million deal with a no-trade clause. It would give him an extra year, more money, and control of his future. Waiting is the logical choice, but it will also keep the door open for his departure if he changes his mind.
Jokic wants to be with the Nuggets forever, but the unknown is still scary
He could always change his mind and sign the four-year extension he is eligible for now, which would keep him from even thinking about testing the free-agent waters. Or he could always change his mind and decide to decline his player option to hit free agency, but to sign elsewhere, not with Denver. Or he could exercise it and request a trade.
Thinking about all that could change between now and next summer is enough to keep fans up at night. Would another early playoff exit be enough for Jokić to think about life elsewhere? Or is he set on staying with Denver, no matter what happens? Hopefully, the answer to that question is yes.
The good thing is that Jokić has never given any indication that he wants to be anywhere other than Denver. He has given every ounce of reassurance possible without signing an extension, which is appreciated. The vultures are still circling, though. And can you really blame them?
Assuming Jokić waits until next summer to sign a new deal, the fear that he will change course and leave Denver will stay alive. And for outsiders, that fear will be hope, which could grow, depending on what happens during the season.
The Nuggets will be ready to help Jokić achieve his dream of staying with Denver forever as soon as he is ready. Understandably (and unfortunately), the signs point toward waiting until next summer for that to happen. And when it does (speak it into existence!), the city of Denver will collectively breathe a sigh of relief.
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