Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic is expected to hold off on negotiating a contract extension this summer and instead wait till 2027, Yankee Scores reports.
Decision Reflects Last Year’s Strategy
Jokic can sign a four-year extension worth nearly $280 million, per CBS Sports, the three-time MVP told the Nuggets around this time last year that he’d prefer to wait, and is rumored to be leaning toward the same strategy again.
Waiting until next summer would make Jokic eligible for a five-year deal as opposed to a four-year deal, which would add considerable value to his next contract.
Nikola Jokic: “My idea is to sign next summer and stay with Denver for the rest of my career.”
📽️ @LjubomirovicM pic.twitter.com/eZ0EDYsltT
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) July 6, 2026
No sign of dissatisfaction
People close to the matter believe there’s no evidence Jokic wants out of Denver, despite the delay.
League insiders say he’s consistently declared he wants to be a “Nugget forever” and has reiterated his long-term commitment to the organization in recent meetings.
Jokic still has two years and $121 million remaining on his current deal, including a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.
Nuggets’ Front Office Faces Pressure
The delay essentially gives Jokic more power, a year to see how Denver rebuld its team after a first-round playoff loss to Minnesota.
The idea around the league is that Jokic’s next deal will still get done, just a year later than it may have originally.
