Denver Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic has been eligible to negotiate a long-term contract extension since the day after this year’s NBA Finals, yet no deal is in place and discussions may not occur before next summer, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Stein and Fischer report that the 31-year-old elected not to sign an extension in 2025, preferring to revisit the matter this offseason. While the expectation then was that Jokic sought a richer agreement, sources now indicate he feels no immediate pressure, believing the same terms will still be available in 2027.
Jokic is on the books for $59 million in 2026-27 and holds a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.
The three-time MVP is currently working out with the Serbian national team ahead of July’s qualifying window for the 2027 World Cup. After Denver’s first-round playoff exit, Jokic repeatedly stated he hoped to “be a Nugget forever.” Executive vice president of basketball operations Ben Tenzer addressed the situation earlier this week.
“We just can’t comment on [extension talks] because of the league rules, but you’ve heard what he’s said about his happiness here,” Tenzer said, adding that the organization feels “really comfortable” with its relationship with Jokic.
Jokic turned in another standout regular season in 2025-26, averaging 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 10.7 assists and 1.4 steals across 65 games (34.8 minutes) while shooting .569 from the field, .380 from three and .831 at the foul line. He led the league in both rebounds and assists per game and finished runner-up in MVP voting for a second consecutive year, marking six straight top-two finishes—an achievement matched only by Bill Russell and Larry Bird.
His postseason numbers against Minnesota remained strong (25.8 PPG, 13.2 RPG, 9.5 APG, 1.0 SPG), but his efficiency dipped to .446/.194/.930 as the Timberwolves relentlessly attacked the paint.
League sources told The Stein Line that Denver is actively weighing trade options to strengthen the roster around its franchise centerpiece.
Source: Hoops Rumors
