Nikola Jokic gives honest assessment of Nuggets' future title hopes after first-round loss to Timberwolves

Three years removed from their first title in franchise history, the Nuggets' star player Nikola Jokic believes that the team is "far away" from another. 

After entering the playoffs as the No. 3 seed, the Nuggets lost 4-2 to an injury-riddled Minnesota Timberwolves team, who were down their star SG Anthony Edwards, PG Donte DiVincenzo and explosive replacement Ayo Dosunmu. Despite these injury concerns, Minnesota still clinched the series with a 110-98 win on Thursday.

This season marks Denver's eighth consecutive postseason appearance. In that span, the Nuggets have only lost in the first round one other time, to the Warriors during their 2022 Championship run. Jokic, who has spent his entire career in Denver, has been accustomed to first-round success in the playoffs. 

After the devastating loss, however, Jokic was asked about the team's future aspirations for a championship. And despite a respectable season in Denver, Jokic had a message that could serve as a harsh wake-up call for many.

Here's what the Serbian center had to say about the future of the Denver Nuggets.

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What Nikola Jokic said after first-round loss to Timberwolves

After the game, Jokic was asked how far the team is from being a championship contender. He was frank in his response.

"We just lost in the first round. I think we are far away." Jokic said per ESPN's Anthony Slater

As a follow-up, Jokic was asked if changes were needed for the team going forward. Jokic hesitated, emphasizing that this decision is the front office's responsibility. 

"That's not my decision. Definitely, if we were in Serbia, we would all be fired." Jokic said per Slater. 

While these comments are often enough to kick off a whirlwind of trade expectations, especially for someone of Jokic's caliber, the Nuggets' center shut this down. 

"I still want to be a nugget forever," Jokic said per Slater. 

While there is surely a laundry list of teams that would love Jokic's talents, it seems they may have to wait. Jokic is up for free agency in 2027 at the earliest, but has a player option for the 2027-28 season. He is also eligible for an extension this offseason, valued as high as 4 years and $293 million.

MORE NUGGETS-TIMBERWOLVES:

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• What's next for Nuggets? Jokic's supporting cast, offseason concerns
• How Terrence Shannon Jr. helped Timberwolves to shocking upset