New NBA Rumors on Nikola Jokic Contract, David Adelman's Future and Nuggets Plans to Improve Roster
After being eliminated from the playoffs in the first round, the Denver Nuggets are reportedly staring at a busy offseason.
During Sunday's episode of Inside the NBA, ESPN's Shams Charania mapped out the agenda for the Nuggets over the next few months, noting that star center Nikola Jokic will be eligible for a maximum contract extension this summer, and "the expectation on both sides" is that he will sign it when he's eligible in July.
Charania added that Nuggets head coach David Adelman is "going to be back, his job is safe." However, he also noted that there will be "real roster changes coming to Denver."
NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Sunday that Denver will be open to "pretty much any trade scenario" to help give Jokic a "more athletic" roster around him.
Jokic will be eligible for a four-year contract extension worth over $290 million. While there have been no indications that he is unhappy in Denver, he acknowledged that the team needs to make significant changes to become a title contender.
"We just lost in the first round," Jokicย said after losingย to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6 of their first-round series on Thursday. "I think we are far away [from title contention]."
Charania explained that the Nuggets' focus this offseason will be "to identify how they can surround Nikola Jokic with the right pieces to get this team over the top." He added that they will "get calls and listen to calls for everyone on the roster besides Nikola Jokic."
Charania's report could raise questions about the future of star guard Jamal Murray, who underperformed in the series against Minnesota, shooting just 35.7 percent from the field and 26.2 percent from three-point range. The 2026 All-Star selection would undoubtedly be Denver's biggest trade piece outside of Jokic, so he could be moved if the team receives the right offer.
It appears that the Nuggets will be making some crucial decisions over the next few months as they try to return to title contention in 2026-27.
