Nikola Jokic Expected To Sign Offseason Extension

Nikola Jokic is expected to sign an extension with the Nuggets this summer, ESPN’s Shams Charania stated Friday in an appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show (YouTube link, hat tip to Real GM).

The three-time MVP was clear about his intentions after his team was eliminated by Minnesota, twice telling reporters, “I still want to be a Nugget forever.” While other changes may take place in Denver during the offseason, Charania expects the organization to solidify Jokic as its long-term centerpiece.

“I will tell you, the Denver Nuggets, from their top brass on down to that organization, they believe Nicole Jokic at his word. He wants to be there,” Charania said. “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.'”

Jokic has two years left on his current deal, which includes a $62.8MM player option for 2027/28. He would have the equivalent of an expiring contract if an extension agreement isn’t reached by October, so there’s a sense of urgency to work out a new deal. A maximum extension would begin at 35% of the ’27/28 salary cap and would tentatively be worth about $285MM over four years, based on a projected $165MM cap in ’26/27 and a 10% increase the following year.

Jokic turned down a three-year, $212MM extension offer last summer in expectation of landing a longer and more lucrative contract.

The 31-year-old big man is coming off another MVP-level season, averaging 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists in 65 games and leading the league in both rebounding and assists. Although he averaged nearly a triple double in the playoff series against Minnesota, he shot just 44.6% from the field and 19.4% from three-point range, and the Nuggets were outscored during his time on the court.

The first-round loss and an expensive roster will probably alter the supporting cast around Jokic by the time training camp opens. Peyton Watson will be one of the top restricted free agents on the market this summer, and the team will have to clear out other salaries to be able to re-sign him without going into apron territory. Cameron Johnson, who is entering the final year of his contract at $23MM, has been mentioned as a possible trade candidate.

“But there are going to be changes in Denver,” Charania said. “I don’t know how much, but there’s going to be some level of change. Whether that’s tinkering a couple a couple players around … But they are so strapped financially moving forward in whether it’s the tax, whether it’s approaching the aprons, that there’s going to be a lot of a lot of conversations about players on this roster.”