Report: Nikola Jokic Comfortable with Nuggets' Direction After Tim Connelly Departure

Tim Connelly's departure from the Denver Nuggets front office won't have an impact on Nikola Jokic's decision to sign an extension with the organization. 

Per Mike Singer of the Denver Post, Jokic has told Nuggets officials he is "comfortable with the direction" of the team in conversations they have had since it was announced that Connelly is leaving the club.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Monday that Connelly, who spent the past nine seasons in Denver's front office, agreed to a five-year deal worth more than $40 million and ownership equity to run basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Following Denver's season-ending loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, Jokic was asked about signing a contract extension with the team. 

"I would like it, of course," Jokic told reporters on April 27. "But it's not something that I'm deciding. I think if [the] offer is on the table, of course I'm going to accept it because I really like the organization, I really like the people who works here. I'm in [a] really good relationship with everybody from [the] owner to equipment manager."

Per ESPN's Bobby Marks, Jokic is eligible for the largest contract in NBA history if he re-signs with the Nuggets this summer. 

Jokic still has one year remaining on his current deal worth $32.5 million.

The 27-year-old set career highs in scoring average (27.1 points per game) and rebounds (13.8) in 74 starts this season. He also averaged 7.9 assists per game and was named NBA MVP for the second consecutive season. 

Jokic is one of 13 players in league history to win the MVP award in back-to-back years. 

Connelly has been an instrumental figure in building the current Nuggets roster. He was hired as executive vice president of basketball operations and general manager in June 2013 after Masai Ujiri left to join the Toronto Raptors. 

Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and Monte Morris were all drafted by the Nuggets under Connelly's watch. He also traded for Aaron Gordon during the 2020-21 season. 

The Nuggets have made the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, including an appearance in the Western Conference Finals during the 2019-20 campaign.