Jokic opts to wait on Nuggets extension until '27

Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic reaffirmed his desire to extend his contract with the Denver Nuggets on Monday and finish his career with the only NBA team he's ever played for -- but he plans to wait to sign the deal. "My idea and desire is to stay in Denver, I'll probably sign next year," Jokic told reporters in Serbian following his FIBA World Cup qualifying game on Monday. "... My desire is to play the rest of my life in Denver." The Nuggets were aware Jokic planned to address his contract situation and understand Jokic's delayed timeline to be financially motivated, a team source told ESPN. Jokic is under contract for two seasons (the last year is a player option) and has been eligible since June 14 to negotiate a four-year $278 million max extension. However, by waiting until the 2027 offseason, Jokic is eligible to sign a five-year $359.5 million contract as a free agent. That contract would the largest in NBA history and would see his career on-court earnings reach $724 million, according to ESPN NBA front office insider Bobby Marks. This is the second consecutive offseason where Jokic was eligible to sign an extension. He was eligible in the 2025 offseason to sign a three-year $200 million extension. It's been a relatively quiet start to free agency for the Nuggets, as the team has not reached an agreement with restricted free agents Peyton Watson or Spencer Jones yet. Denver did sign guard Tyus Jones and center Marvin Bagley Jr. to new deals while losing Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Miami Heat. Jokic was the runner up for MVP for the second-straight season to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as he averaged 27.7 points on 56.9% and led the league in rebounds (12.9) and assists (10.7) per game, averaging a triple-double for the second time in his career. However, Denver lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs and have not made it past the second round since winning the championship in 2023.