Nikola Jokic is the greatest player to ever put on a Denver Nuggets jersey. He’s responsible for leading the franchise to its lone championship in 2023, he’s responsible for the only three MVP awards in franchise history, and he’s set a lot of records while playing in the Mile High City.
This summer, Jokic became eligible to sign a three-year, $206 million contract extension that would’ve kept him on the Nuggets through the 2028 season, with a player option on the final year. He did not sign that extension, not because he didn’t want to test the open market, but likely because a better deal will be on the table next summer. By waiting, Jokic can sign a four-year max extension next summer, giving him higher annual salaries and more guaranteed money overall — about $80 million. That deal would be based on a projected 10 percent rise in the NBA salary cap and would keep him in Denver into his mid-30s.
Jokic was asked about the contract talks at Nuggets Media Day on Monday, and gave his opinion on contract extensions.
“I don’t think about it. I think those contracts extensions comes as a reward, as something that is natural to the sport, especially in today’s NBA, how you see the how the salary cap is going and everything,” he said.
Don’t worry, Nuggets Nation, he followed it up by saying something that everyone cheering for the team wants to hear.
“My plan is to be a Nugget forever. So that’s my answer.”
Nikola Jokic on not signing an extension this summer “my plan is to be a Denver Nugget for forever.” pic.twitter.com/furZWkCS5w
— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) September 29, 2025
Jokic is now 30 years old as he enters his 11th season in the NBA with Denver. He had arguably his best season with the Nuggets last year, even though he didn’t win a title nor a fourth MVP award. When asked about where his game is at heading into an important season for the Nuggets, he had some jokes, just like he always does at Media Day.
“We’re gonna see in 24 days. Hopefully, I’m still on the same level, and we will see. I don’t know. I don’t know. I didn’t play an NBA game in four months, five months, four. So we will see in 24 days… I still feel good. My body feels good,” he said.
It will be hard to top the performance he put on last season, as he became the third player in NBA history to average a triple double in a season, and did so while scoring with insane efficiency numbers, but if anyone can outdo that campaign, it’s the Joker.
Media Day was filled of fun and jokes for the Serbian superstar, but by saying what he said about wanting to be a Nugget forever, he should’ve put any debate to rest over his future contract talks.
