Nikola Jokic's Nuggets Future Updated in New NBA Rumors, Star Can Sign $278M Contract in Offseason

Despite failing to reach the conference finals in the three years since winning the 2023 NBA Finals, including a first-round loss this season, the Denver Nuggets are expected to get a contract extension done with Nikola Jokić this offseason.

Appearing on The Stephen A. Smith Show (starts at 29:20 mark), ESPN's Shams Charania said Nuggets officials "believe" Jokić when he says that he wants to remain in Denver and there's no indication he is looking to go anywhere else:

"I will tell you, the Denver Nuggets, from their top brass on down to that organization, they believe Nicola Jokic at his word. He wants to be there. This is not a situation where he's talking about potentially leaving, or looking elsewhere. Or saying 'Hey, I need you guys to do this. I need you guys to do that.' He's very, very internally and externally 'I'm here, no matter what, I'm re-signing.'"

Jokić is eligible to sign an extension worth up to $278 million over four years this summer.

In the wake of Denver's season-ending loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6 on Thursday, Jokić said he wanted to remain with the Nuggets "forever" but admitted they are "far away" from winning a title.

As presently constructed, it will be difficult for the Nuggets to make any significant changes around Jokić. They are currently projected to be just $2.6 million under the second apron with 11 players under contract and Peyton Watson set to hit restricted free agency.

Many of the issues the Nuggets had in this series and throughout the season was because their big bets last offseason didn't pan out. Christian Braun disappointed after getting a five-year, $125 million extension.

Cameron Johnson, who was acquired from the Brooklyn Nets as part of the Michael Porter Jr. trade, couldn't replicate Porter's performance and was particularly rough in the postseason with a plus-minus of minus-10 in six games.

The Nuggets owe Johnson $23.1 million next season, but it's an expiring contract that could potentially make him attractive in a salary-dump trade. Jonas Valančiūnas' $10 million salary for 2026-27 doesn't become fully guaranteed until July 8, so he seems unlikely to return.

None of these are great for the Nuggets because they won't get anything of significant value back in a Johnson trade, for example. They don't control any of their first-round draft picks from 2027 to '30.

Ultimately, the most important thing for the Nuggets is getting a commitment from Jokić with his current contract only guaranteed through next season with a player option for 2027-28.

Since it seems like Jokić is prepared to extend with the team this offseason, it will be on the front office to figure out how to put the right pieces around him to maximize his skill set and get the Nuggets back to being a top-tier contender in the Western Conference.