In the 2025 offseason, Nikola Jokic stunned the Denver Nuggets by declining a contract extension. Although this raised concerns regarding his future with the team, Jokic reaffirmed his loyalty to the franchise.
At the Nuggets’ media day, Jokic addressed his decision to decline the extension:
“I mean, I don’t think about it. I think those contract extensions come as a reward, as something that is natural to the sport. Especially in today’s NBA how you see how the salary cap is growing and everything. My plan is to be a Nugget forever.”
Nikola Jokic is one of the highest-paid players in the NBA. Considering his value to the Nuggets, as an NBA champion and a three-time regular-season MVP, his salary is justified. In addition to his pre-existing contract, however, Denver offered him a three-year extension worth $212 million this summer.
While this is sizable in its own right, by declining the offer, Jokic reportedly becomes eligible for a more lucrative four-year deal, worth $293 million in 2026. In this regard, opting not to accept the current offer only seems to be sensible from the player’s perspective.
Regardless, the Nuggets can only benefit from having Jokic on the roster for the foreseeable future. Given his impact on winning and status as one of the best players in the league, Denver will look to the seven-time All-Star to lead the team’s title push in the upcoming season.
Can Nikola Jokic Lead The Nuggets To A Title?
The upcoming season brings promising prospects for the Denver Nuggets. Last season, Denver showcased a lot of resilience in the playoffs. After overcoming the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round, they came up against the eventual champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
For all intents and purposes, the Nuggets pushed the Thunder further than any team in the West, something Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein has admitted. After pushing OKC to seven games, the Nuggets eventually fell.
Given that starters such as Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. were playing through injury, Denver’s production fell in the playoffs. Still, with Nikola Jokic leading the team, they remained competitive.
In this regard, after an offseason marked by notable roster upgrades, the Nuggets will be a team to look out for in the West.
Following the trade to acquire Cam Johnson from the Brooklyn Nets, the Nuggets added key rotation pieces such as Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown. They even added a backup big man in Jonas Valanciunas to support Nikola Jokic in the frontcourt.
Denver’s offseason roster additions have significantly boosted their roster strength, effectively cementing their status as a title contender. With the right pieces surrounding him, along with the necessary championship experience, Jokic could legitimately lead the Nuggets to another NBA title.
