Three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic confirmed Monday that his loyalty to the Denver Nuggets runs deep — but fans hoping for a quick contract signing will have to wait a bit longer.
Speaking with reporters following Serbia’s victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in a FIBA World Cup qualifying contest held in Belgrade, Serbia, Jokic expressed his ongoing commitment to remaining in Denver for the long haul. On the court, he delivered a triple-double performance, finishing with 20 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds.
The 31-year-old center’s strategy for holding off on an extension isn’t without financial reasoning. By waiting until next summer, Jokic becomes eligible to sign a five-year supermax contract valued at approximately $350 million.
This past season, Jokic earned All-NBA honors for the eighth time in his career. He averaged 27.7 points per game along with a league-leading 12.9 rebounds and a league-leading 10.7 assists, though he finished second in MVP voting behind Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Despite the Nuggets being bounced from the playoffs in the first round by Minnesota, Jokic showed no signs of wanting out. “I still want to be (with the) Nuggets forever,” he said following the early postseason exit.
The offseason has otherwise been relatively quiet for Denver. One major question still facing the organization involves Peyton Watson, a versatile guard/forward who figures to command a significant contract if the team wants to keep him around.
