Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Why Nikola Jokic Won’t Sign Contract Extension with Nuggets this Offseason?

Jokic still has at least two guaranteed years left on his contract, plus a player option for 2027-28.

Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Nikola Jokic has informed the Denver Nuggets that he will not sign a contract extension this offseason. The information was released by Bennett Durando, of the Denver Post on Tuesday. According to the journalist, the pivot intends to wait until next offseason to begin talks about renewing his contract with the franchise.

Jokic still has at least two guaranteed years left on his contract, plus a player option for 2027-28 that could extend his contract by up to three seasons. On Tuesday, he became eligible for a three-year, $212 million extension with the Nuggets. However, waiting until 2025 is the best financial option, as he could receive up to $80 million more.

Nikola Jokic has told the Nuggets he doesn’t plan to sign a contract extension this offseason 👀

(via Denver Post) pic.twitter.com/QEvq6LnxTR
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) July 8, 2025

It is worth noting that the franchise’s management understands the decision. As vice president Josh Kroenke himself had previously suggested , the Nuggets already expected Jokic to decline the current offer.

Also Read: San Antonio Spurs Acquire Kelly Olynyk in Multi-Player Deal with Washington Wizards

Nuggets likely to push for Jokic extension

Regardless of the decision to postpone, the Nuggets must make every effort to retain their franchise player. A second-round pick in 2014, the Serbian has already won three MVP awards, been selected to the All -NBA All-Star Team seven times, and led the team to the 2022-23 title

Last season, Jokic again delivered dominant performances and competed for the 2024-25 MVP award until the end, being edged out by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The center averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists—all among the top three marks of the season.

Teams are preserving future cap space for what could be a historic free agent class in 2027:

Nikola Jokic
Luka Doncic
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Donovan Mitchell
Anthony Davis
Trae Young
Stephen Curry
James Harden
Kawhi Leonard
Jimmy Butler
Karl-Anthony Towns
Kyrie Irving
Zach LaVine pic.twitter.com/vS4wi1eTiR
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 7, 2025

Despite the shock firing of Michael Malone late in the regular season, the Denver Nuggets finished 50-32, securing the fourth-best record in the West. The team advanced to the playoffs by eliminating the Los Angeles Clippers with a 120-101 victory in the deciding game of the first round.

Next, the Nuggets faced the future champions, Oklahoma City Thunder and, despite also taking the series to Game 7, they were defeated by a score of 125 to 93.

With solid performance and signs of competitiveness, the franchise appointed David Adelman as head coach and reinforced the roster with names such as Cameron Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown — in a clear attempt to keep the roster in title condition and convince Jokic to renew in the long term.

Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.