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There are many questions surrounding the Denver Nuggets following their surprising early playoff departure.
One question concerns Nikola Jokic’s future with Denver, as the three-time MVP has once again been linked to trade rumors. Is there a legitimate chance that the Jokic era in Denver could come to an end during the offseason? The Athletic's Sam Amick tackled that question in his most recent article.
“Jokić’s choice to not extend last summer made complete financial sense,” Amick wrote Friday. “The max he could have earned was a three-year, $212 million deal that paled in comparison to the four-year, $293 million deal he could sign this summer.”
“But the dramatic nature of the Nuggets’ fall, coupled with the reality that every team in the league would line up for the chance to trade for (or sign) Jokić, means the entire league will be watching to see if he signs the extension.”
The Nuggets’ current situation is eerily similar to that of the Los Angeles Lakers' last year. After the Houston Rockets eliminated the Lakers in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs, many were eager to see if Doncic would ink an extension with the franchise.
In addition to 2025 offseason trade rumors, many believed the Lakers could lose Doncic in 2027 via free agency if he elected not to sign a new deal. Fortunately for Los Angeles, the former Dallas Mavericks star secured a three-year, $165 million contract extension in early August, easing the organization's concerns.
It’s reasonable to assume the Nuggets are looking for a similar outcome this summer. To shut down trade/free agency speculation centered on Jokic, Denver must entice the NBA champion big man to make a long-term contract decision that’ll keep him around for the foreseeable future.
Needless to say, the Nuggets will have their work cut out for them.
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