Nikola Jokic just won the 2021 NBA MVP award after a magical season with the Denver Nuggets. But that’s not the end for the Serbian big man, who is currently trying to make it to the NBA Finals for the first time.
He’s doing many good things on the court, and his feats off the court could reach a new level next year. After winning his MVP award, Jokic can sign a supermax contract that would give him $241 million in either 2022 or 2023.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks explains that Jokic meets the criteria to sign this contract after reaching this milestone. However, he’ll need to wait at least one year before inking this new deal.
By virtue of winning MVP, Nikola Jokic is now eligible to sign a super max contract in either the 2022 or 2023 offseason.
Jokic is not eligible this offseason because he is 1 year shy of the years of service criteria of 7.
By virtue of winning MVP, Nikola Jokic is now eligible to sign a super max contract in either the 2022 or 2023 offseason.
Jokic is not eligible this offseason because he is 1 year shy of the years of service criteria of 7.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 8, 2021
Moreover, Marks broke down the type of contract Jokic would receive. He’d get paid over $240 million over five years, making this one the largest contract in NBA history.
*2023-24: $42.6M
2024-25: $44.9M
2025-26: $48.2M
2026-27: $51.5M
2027-28: $54.8M
Total of $241M
*Based on a salary cap of $121.5M
The Nikola Jokic super max extension in 2022 is projected to be the largest contract in NBA history.
*2023-24: $42.6M
2024-25: $44.9M
2025-26: $48.2M
2026-27: $51.5M
2027-28: $54.8M
Total of $241M
*Based on a salary cap of $121.5M
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 8, 2021
The Joker has been nothing but great this campaign. By winning this award, he made history at various levels. First, he’s the first MVP to have been picked in the 2nd round in 51 years. Willis Reed pulled off this feat in 1969-70.
MVP winners by draft pick:
1 — 21
2 — 10
3 — 7
4 — 2
5 — 2
6 — 3
7 — 2
8 — 1
9 — 1
10
11
12 — 1
13 — 3
14
15 — 4
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41 — 1 pic.twitter.com/5iBgNGEtTG
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 8, 2021
He also became the lowest-drafted player to win the award, surpassing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Steve Nash (both 15th overall) by a lot. Jokic was selected 41st overall in 2014, getting drafted during a Taco Bell ad.
Nikola Jokic was picked 41st…
during a Taco Bell commercial.
Now, he’s the MVP 🏆https://t.co/NueEkIjQKT
— Front Office Sports Today (@FOS_Today) June 8, 2021
This man has come a long way and now is the first center to win the MVP since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000.
Shaq himself congratulated Jokic, crediting him for putting big men back on the map.
“Because of you, the big man is back. You’re the first big man to win the MVP in a long time. Thank you, and I appreciate you very much.”
Jokic is living very happy moments in recent hours. He will try to keep things that way when he faces the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals. His life already changed, but this man can receive more great news in the future.
