Nikola Jokic Says 'My Plan is to Be a Nugget Forever' amid Contract Extension Rumors

Nikola Jokić is already a Denver Nuggets legend, and he plans on adding to his legacy with the team for the rest of his career.

"My plan is to be a Nugget forever," he said Thursday, per Arnie Melendrez Stapleton of the Associated Press.

While is signed through the 2026-27 season with a player option for 2027-28, Stapleton noted the big man could have signed a four-year, $212 million deal this offseason. However, he passed on that opportunity because he can sign a four-year extension for $293 million next summer.

"I mean, I don't think about it," Jokić said. "I think those contract extensions come as a reward, as something that is natural to the sport. Especially in today's NBA how you see how the salary cap is growing and everything."

Denver selected the future Hall of Famer with a second-round pick in 2014, and he is already arguably the best player in franchise history. His resume includes the 2023 title, an NBA Finals MVP, three league MVPs, seven All-NBA selections and seven All-Star Game nods. 

He is a walking triple-double who averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 57.6 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from deep last season.

Yet Denver lost in the second round of the playoffs in large part because it didn't have enough help around him. So it responded by trading for Cam Johnson and adding Bruce Brown, Jonas Valančiūnas and Tim Hardaway Jr. this offseason.

It bolstered the roster and was perhaps a signal to Jokić with his contract situation looming that the front office will be willing to put the correct pieces around him as the team competes for more championships.

And if Jokić is going to be with the Nuggets for the rest of his career, those championship chances figure to keep coming.