New NBA Rumors on Nikola Jokic's Future amid Nuggets Contract, Jaylen Brown Trade Buzz

Nikola Jokić's future with the Denver Nuggets will remain a major topic until he signs an extension with just one more season remaining until his 2027-28 player option, and he reportedly wants to remain with the only NBA team he has ever known even if he isn't showing much urgency when it comes to a new deal.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported Sunday the big man "reiterated a desire to stay long-term in Denver in recent talks."

The Athletic's Sam Amick also reported that the Nuggets are optimistic that Jokić will remain with the franchise long term:

"Yet while that chatter will likely continue until there's another long-term commitment from the 31-year-old, team sources tell The Athletic that Jokić is still signaling a desire to remain in the Mile High City past his current contract. Those sources, granted anonymity to speak candidly on the matter, say the Nuggets still have a great deal of confidence that Jokić's stated plan to be "a Nugget forever" that was shared in late April remains intact."

Yet the timing is notable, as he would be eligible for one more year on a potential extension if he waits until next offseason.

With that as the backdrop, Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported Saturday that Jokić could look to delay such extension talks until next offseason just like he did at this time last year.

Assuming Jokić does stay in Denver, the front office will surely want to add more impactful pieces around him in an effort to close the gap on Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs teams that seem primed to dominate the Western Conference for years to come.

Scotto reported the Nuggets are one of the teams interested in a potential Jaylen Brown trade should the Boston Celtics decide to move their star winger after they were unable to land Giannis Antetokounmpo in a trade.

MEAN Jaylen Brown Poster 😳

00:18

A Brown and Jokić pairing would immediately become one of the best one-two punches in the league.

Brown is someone who can hit from the outside or cut into lanes when Jokić is facing double teams, and the big man is one of the best facilitators in the entire NBA. Denver had the highest offensive rating in the league last season, per NBA.com, in large part because of Jokić, and the team would be even more dangerous with the addition of Brown.

Such a trade could also help convince Jokić to stay long term and trust the front office to build a winner.