Nikola Jokić, arguably the best basketball player in the world, committed to sign a contract extension with the Denver Nuggets.
Jokić, the three-time Most Valuable Player, has been eligible to sign a massive, max contract extension each of the last two summers, but he has delayed that, seemingly so that he can maximize his earning potential for an enormous five-year deal worth up to $360 million.
The delay, however, has caused some angst among Nuggets fans, given that Jokić is under team control for just this upcoming season, though he does have a player option for $62.8 million.
At Nuggets media day, he tried to ease the apprehension of any nervous fans.
“I’m going to sign next
year – if they want me,” Jokić said Monday, Sept. 28.
Jokić posted one of the most prolific seasons in NBA history last year, averaging 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game – the second consecutive season he averaged a triple-double. Only two other players in history have averaged triple-doubles, Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook.
In April, after Denver was eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Jokić told reporters that he wanted to be wanted to be “a Nugget forever.” He has repeatedly expressed his loyalty toward the franchise, where he won the 2023 NBA Finals.
Jokić has been with the Nuggets for 11 seasons after Denver drafted him with the 41st overall selection in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft.
One of the more decorated and accomplished players of his generation, Jokić instantly makes the Nuggets more competitive. Denver, however, has been navigating a tight salary cap situation and had a difficult offseason that included trading away Peyton Watson, a key forward who has steadily improved.
There had been speculation that Jokić was perhaps delaying his extension to see the direction the Nuggets would take, but executive vice president of basketball operations Ben Tenzer echoed Jokić’s comments at media day.
“We have no concerns,” Tenzer said Monday.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nikola Jokic intends to remain with Nuggets long term: 'I’m going to sign next year'
