This summer, Nikola Jokić is eligible to sign a three-year, $212.5 million contract extension with the Denver Nuggets. Given his track record, it’s likely he’ll sign it quietly, without drama or headlines. But that might not be the smartest move—not for him, and not for the team.
From a financial perspective, waiting a year would benefit Jokić. If he holds off until next offseason, he could secure a four-year, $293.4 million deal—over $80 million more. But this decision isn’t just about the money. It’s about leverage, and how Jokić can use it to push the Nuggets in the right direction.
Following Denver’s Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jokić highlighted the team’s biggest issue: a lack of depth. If he delays signing the extension, it could force the organization to act with more urgency in addressing that flaw. Even though Jokić is under contract through at least the 2025–26 season and holds a player option for 2027–28, signaling uncertainty could spark action from ownership and the front office.
Despite how unlikely it seems that Jokić would leave Denver, his value is so monumental that the mere hint of doubt should motivate the team to improve immediately. The Nuggets cannot afford to waste his prime, and delaying the extension could be a much-needed wake-up call for team owner Josh Kroenke and whoever replaces GM Calvin Booth.
Kroenke recently suggested the team plans to “run it back,” expecting improvement from within. But that’s a risky bet. The Nuggets ended their playoff run with barely six reliable players in their rotation. Internal growth alone won’t fix that in a single offseason.
Yes, Denver faces financial constraints. With limited cap space and only the mini mid-level exception ($5.7 million) available, plus just one tradable first-round pick (in 2031 or 2032), options are slim. But that’s not Jokić’s concern, nor is it the fans’. Ownership has a responsibility to find solutions—even in tight circumstances.
The Nuggets don’t need to trade away their future for marginal gains, but they must explore every realistic upgrade. Pretending that their young core can bridge the gap is delusional.
Ultimately, Jokić declining the extension—while risky—could be the jolt the franchise needs to take bold, necessary action and maximize their championship window.
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