For the past few years, Nikola Jokic has been thrown into rumors. A superstar name that has popped up as a candidate to be traded (or even sign elsewhere in free agency when his current deal is up after his 2027-28 player option). Despite multiple statements noting that he plans to re-sign in Denver, Jokic’s name keeps getting brought up. But he’s not going anywhere.
Jokic is a Nugget. They may be struggling to build around him right now. They may not have performed as well as they’ve wanted in the playoffs over the last few years. But Jokic is a Nugget, and the team is going to do whatever it needs to do in order to keep him around. That much seems obvious.
Barring an unfathomable circumstance (on par with the Luka Doncic trade), there is no way the Nuggets let Jokic slip through their fingertips.
Despite rumors, Nikola Jokic can't go anywhere
The latest set of rumors comes from some NBA executives, who spoke with Howard Beck of The Ringer. According to them, the rest of the league is keeping a close eye on Jokic moving forward.
The execs noted the Nuggets’ struggles in recent years. They mentioned the possibility of Denver hitting the reset button. And perhaps most notably, they mentioned the reality that the rest of the league is watching the situation. Closely.
Obviously, GMs around the NBA have to watch. It would be irresponsible not to keep tabs on a guy like Jokic. If he ever did become available, everyone would have to pounce.
But again, that’s just not going to happen. It cannot happen. The Nuggets cannot let it happen. Other teams can keep an eye on the Nuggets as much as they want – they just aren’t going to get Jokic.
That said, Denver does need to figure out a way to build around him more effectively. It needs to add the right pieces. Move things around. Figure out a way to navigate the second apron while also competing for a championship.
Jamal Murray is still great. But everyone else is a bit shaky. Aaron Gordon’s getting old. Christian Braun is up-and-down. The Nuggets have some young guys, but they need to compete now.
Still, Jokic cannot go anywhere. The Nuggets have one of the best players in NBA history on their roster, and he’s still in the back half of his prime right now.
That’s not a guy you trade. That’s a guy you figure out how to win with. So, no matter how much other teams poke around, the Nuggets can’t trade Jokic.
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