Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić is “very pleased” with what the team has done to retool his supporting cast, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
Starting at the 30:15 mark in the newest episode of the Hoop Collective podcast, Windhorst said the three-time MVP appears to be satisfied with how the summer has unfolded so far.
Keeping Jokić happy is important because it’s not too early to begin looking ahead to 2027, when he can opt out of his contract and enter free agency.
The Athletic’s John Hollinger provided a lay of the land, writing Monday that Jokić can sign a three-year extension totaling around $206 million. Should he wait until next summer, the seven-time All-Star can get a four-year deal.
One path potentially allows for Jokić to hit free agency earlier, while the other secures him a bigger payday.
Hollinger outlined the other considerations as it relates to the salary cap.
“If the cap rises by 10 percent annually, it’s a win for him to sign the deal and replace his $61.9 million player option in 2027-28 with a $63.7 million max number,” he wrote. “However, if the cap raises are lower, that max figure decreases, to the point that he might be better off opting in to that $61.9 million as a platform for the rest of his contract.”
The Nuggets haven’t transformed their roster, but trading Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson was a sign of their urgency.
They’ve also agreed to trade for veteran center Jonas Valančiūnas, who is set to make just under $10.4 million. The Nuggets are currently on track to be one of seven teams above the first apron.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Valančiūnas is receiving interest from Greek team Panathinaikos but that Denver is operating under the belief he’ll be suiting up for the NBA season ahead.
Team vice chairman Josh Kroenke told reporters in June that becoming a second-apron team “is not necessarily something that we’re scared of.” He did raise some concerns when he hypothesized Denver could find itself stuck in a place where trading Jokić becomes necessary:
Ben Tenzer, Denver’s executive vice president of basketball operations, subsequently clarified those remarks:
For now, the Nuggets look a little better on paper than they were to end 2024-25. Seeing as they just pushed the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in the Western Conference semifinals, maybe that’s enough.
If Jokić signs a three-year extension this summer, the front office can continue to project the squad years ahead knowing its best player won’t be going anywhere.