NBA Insiders Reportedly Expect Nikola Jokic to Sign $212M Nuggets Contract Extension

Despite the turmoil related to the Denver Nuggets' shocking coaching change this week, superstar center Nikola Jokić is reportedly still expected to sign a contract extension with the team soon.

According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Ramona Shelburne, Jokić is eligible to sign a three-year, $212 million extension during the offseason, and the "assumption" across the NBA is that he will.

Already a three-time NBA MVP, Jokić is among the top MVP candidates once again this season by virtue of averaging a career-high 29.8 points per game to go along with 12.8 rebounds and 10.2 assists.

If the 30-year-old maintains those averages over Denver's final two games, he will become only the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double over the course of an entire season, joining Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook.

Despite Jokić's dominance, the Nuggets haven't quite had the season most expected out of them.

They are currently fourth in the Western Conference at 48-32, but the Nos. 4 through 8 seeds are all within one game of each other, so Denver has yet to clinch a spot in the top six to avoid the play-in tournament.

While Denver's play has left something to be desired at times this season, it still came as a shock when the organization fired head coach Michael Malone this week with just three regular-season games remaining.

The Nuggets are less than two years removed from winning their first-ever NBA championship, and they have retained most of their key players from that team, including Jokić, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun.

Denver has lost some important depth players, though, such as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown and Reggie Jackson, and they haven't been adequately replaced.

It is difficult to imagine that being enough for Jokić to pass up a massive contract extension, though, particularly if the Nuggets work with him on the hiring of a new head coach and general manager.

Having Jokić means closing in on a 50-win season is something of a disappointment for the Nuggets, which is a position most teams in the NBA likely wish they were in.

As long as the Nuggets have Jokić and he continues to play at a high level, they will be contenders, which is why it is paramount to get a deal done this summer and ensure his long-term future with the franchise.