For the second summer in a row, Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic put off signing his contract extension. Presumably, so he can sign for more money by waiting longer. But because the Nuggets' future salary outlook looks poor based on their current roster construction, many in the media have speculated that Jokic may want out of Denver next summer, with the Golden State Warriors as a possible landing spot. Now Stephen Curry's new contract could give the sharks more to chew on over the next year.
Curry finally reached an agreement on an extension with the Warriors for two years, $116 million, with a player option for 2028-29. It's significant that Curry took $20 million less than he could have. The Warriors will now have even more cap space available in free agency next summer, and you can be sure to expect that to add to the rumors of Jokic leaving Denver after this season by opting out of his player option to play for a team that can be built around him. Nuggets fans have already been bracing for the rumors, and there will be many.
But they should be treated as rumors only. Because Jokic probably isn't leaving town.
Jokic will stick to his word (we hope)
Jokic has never given any indication that he is unhappy in Denver, and he's said repeatedly that he wants to finish his basketball career with the Nuggets, much like Curry wants to do with the Warriors. Jokic's word should be enough for Nuggets fans for assurance that he's not going anywhere. He likely won't, but if the Nuggets have a poor season, it will only add more food to the waters for the sharks to feast on as the season progresses.
But Jokic can't sign his NBA record contract extension next summer, worth five years and almost $360 million, if he leaves Denver. That's a lot of money, and it would secure generational wealth for his family, and he can only make less by leaving town. Plus, Jokic seems happy in Denver. He would have to learn a new city, a new fan base, and a new way of life in the Bay Area.
But that won't stop the rumors from coming this year. Even the wild rumors, like Jokic leaving the Nuggets to play in Greece for Dimitris Giannakopoulos and his club, Panathinaikos. But as long as the Nuggets play well, those rumors will get quieter. But they'll still be there. And they should be ignored, because Jokic will (we hope) stick to his word.
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