Nikola Jokic Plans to Postpone New Contract Until 2027 Offseason
nikola-jokic-plans-to-postpone-new-contract-until-2027-offseason
Denver Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic said Monday he intends to hold off on signing a new deal until the 2027 offseason, underscoring once again that he hopes to remain in Denver for the remainder of his career. The statement came in Belgrade after Serbia’s victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in a July window for 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying, according to a video posted by Marko Ljubomirovic of Admiral Bet.
“My idea is to sign next summer and stay in Denver for the rest of my career,” Jokic said through an automated translation.
The 31-year-old can agree to a four-year maximum extension at any point before June 30, 2027. By waiting to enter free agency during the 2027-28 league year, however, he would become eligible for a five-year max contract that would include a full no-trade clause. He is scheduled to earn $59 million in 2026-27 and holds a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28, which he would have to decline to secure the longer deal.
Sources close to Jokic told Sam Amick of The Athletic that the extra fifth year is pivotal, as it would cover a season when the three-time MVP will be in his late 30s.
Jokic is coming off another standout campaign, averaging 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 10.7 assists and 1.4 steals across 65 games while shooting .569 from the field, .380 from three-point range and .831 at the line. He led the league in both rebounds and assists per game and finished second in MVP voting for a second straight season, extending his run of top-two finishes to six years—a feat matched only by Bill Russell and Larry Bird.
Following Monday’s qualifier, the Serbian national team named Jokic its captain for the first time. “I will remember this for the rest of my life because it means a lot to me and it is a great feeling,” he told reporters.
Source: Hoops Rumors
