Nikola Jokic Drops Major Hint About Nuggets Future

The Denver Nuggets can breathe easy, well, sort of, with star big man Nikola Jokic, as he reaffirmed his desire to play with the franchise for the rest of his career.

However, the three-time league MVP recently outlined that he plans on inking a long-term extension next offseason.

“My idea and desire is to stay in Denver. I’ll probably sign next year,” Jokic told reporters in Serbian following a FIBA World Cup qualifying game Monday via ESPN. “… My desire is to play the rest of my life in Denver.”

Jokic’s strong stance doesn’t come as much of a surprise, as he voiced as much publicly over the last several months. He hasn’t wavered in his desire to remain with the organization that he has spent his entire career with thus far.

He has two more years left on his five-year, $276 million contract, which includes a player option for the final year. Since June 14, Jokic has been eligible to negotiate for a four-year, $278 million max extension.

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The decision to wait could benefit him financially even more, as next offseason he would be in line for a five-year, $359.5 million contract as a free agent. It would mark the largest contract in league history while pushing his career on-court earnings to $724 million.

The Nuggets likely won’t hesitate to offer him that contract, given his importance to the franchise’s success and long-term future, even as he continues to perform as one of the game’s best players. It’s just a matter of time before Jokic gets another massive payday.