Nikola Jokic Reportedly Told Nuggets He Won't Sign Contract Extension This Offseason

Nikola Jokić reportedly won't sign a contract extension with the Denver Nuggets this offseason, but that is not as troubling of a situation for the Western Conference team as it may seem.

Bennett Durando of the Denver Post reported Tuesday the star big man told the Nuggets he will wait until next offseason to engage in contract talks. There is no urgency since he is signed through the 2026-27 season with a player option for the 2027-28 campaign.

What's more, he can earn approximately $80 million more by waiting until next offseason even though he is eligible to sign a three-year, $212 million extension at this point.

Durando noted the Nuggets' front office was expecting Jokić to wait until next offseason, so this comes as no surprise.

With the star player not as much of a focus this offseason, Denver has been busy bolstering the depth around him. It added Jonas Valančiūnas, Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. in addition to trading Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson.

While the Nuggets pushed the eventual-champion Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in the second round during the playoffs, depth was an issue throughout last season. These moves have helped address those concerns and potentially put the team in position to return to the NBA Finals.

And that maximum extension will surely be waiting for Jokić when he's ready.

After all, he is one of the best players in NBA history with a resume that includes three league MVPs, a championship, an NBA Finals MVP, seven All-NBA selections and seven All-Star Game nods.

He is a walking triple-double and a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses every time he steps on the floor, and he will still just be 31 years old next offseason. He may even have more leverage in the upcoming negotiations if he can lead the Nuggets to a deep playoff run with another MVP campaign in 2025-26.

Jokić has been a franchise cornerstone for Denver throughout the majority of his career, and the front office will likely do everything it can to keep it that way next offseason during those negotiations.