The reason why Nikola Jokic won’t sign a contract extension with the Denver Nuggets this summer revealed
Nikola Jokić has informed the Denver Nuggets he won’t sign a contract extension this offseason, but there’s a good reason for that.
The 2025-26 NBA season is the first one that Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić has been eligible to sign a contract extension. But fans were disappointed when he declined to do so.
Nikola Jokic has told the Nuggets he doesn’t plan to sign a contract extension this offseason 👀
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) July 8, 2025
(via Denver Post) pic.twitter.com/QEvq6LnxTR
Jokić neglects to sign extension with Denver
But the fans need not panic. There’s an explanation for this. Jokić is about to enter the third year of his five-year, $276 million supermax contract, so he’s still safe with the Nuggets through the 2026-27 season on that deal.
And if he waits until 2026 to sign an extension, he could actually earn around $80 million more in guaranteed money than if he signed right now. While eligible now for a three-year, $212 million extension, waiting would allow him to sign a longer deal under more favorable financial terms. Nuggets governor Josh Kroenke said the team expected this decision and supports Jokić’s choice.
“We’re definitely going to offer it,” Kroenke said. “I’m not sure if he’s going to accept it or not, because we’re also going to explain every financial parameter around him signing now versus signing later - to be completely transparent, that’s the way we always are. And then he makes the best decision for himself and his family, and we’ll support him in it.”
Despite changes in Denver, including a new coach (David Adelman), revamped front office, and roster moves like trading Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson, Jokić remains under contract through at least 2026-27. The Nuggets hope their offseason retooling, including additions like Bruce Brown and Jonas Valančiūnas, will convince the three-time MVP to commit long-term next summer.
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