DeMarcus Cousins Says Nikola Jokic Considered Retiring Before $300M Nuggets Contract

Nikola Jokić is going strong with the Denver Nuggets and is well on his way to being a Hall of Famer, but he apparently considered retiring a few years ago.

DeMarcus Cousins, who played with Jokić during the 2021-22 campaign, revealed that the three-time MVP mulled retirement before signing a five-year, $276.1 million contract.

"When I was with Denver, our lockers were next to each other," Cousins said on the Straight Game Podcast. "And I don't remember who at the time had signed an extension, but I'm like, 'Such and such signed for this money, yours is going to be crazy.' He was like 'You know Cous, I honestly think I might retire after this contract.' I said, 'Leave $300 million on the table? Man, you out your motherf--king mind man.' I said, 'Sign the contract and just get fat at worst, don't pass up on the $300 million, bro.'"

According to Cousins, Jokić said he just wanted to "lay in a valley" with his horses.

Clearly Jokić didn't end up retiring, and there's no telling how serious he was about calling it quits, but the Nuggets are glad he decided to stay in the NBA. After signing that deal, he brought Denver its first championship and won another MVP.

The 30-year-old is still very much in his prime, so he's likely on his way to plenty of other accolades.