Field Level Media
07 Jul 2026, 08:35 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images)
Three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic told reporters in his native Serbia that he wants to be a Denver Nugget for life, but he's not rushing into a contract extension this offseason.
'My idea is to sign next summer and stay with Denver for the rest of my career,' Jokic told reporters in Serbian after a FIBA World Cup qualifying game Monday. 'My idea and desire is to stay in Denver. I'll probably sign next year. ... My desire is to play the rest of my life in Denver.'
According to ESPN, Jokic becomes eligible for a five-year, $359.5 million contract in the summer of 2027, which would be the most lucrative deal in NBA history.
That's enough reason for Jokic, 31, to skip past the max extension he is currently eligible for (four years, $278 million).
The center led the NBA in rebounding (12.9 per game) and assists (career-high 10.7 per game) while scoring 27.7 points per contest in 65 games for the Nuggets in 2025-26. He finished runner-up in MVP balloting to Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the second straight season after winning the award in 2021, 2022 and 2024.
Jokic guided the Nuggets to the 2023 league title, but despite finishing the 2025-26 season third in the Western Conference they were knocked out of the playoffs in a six-game, first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Jokic tallied 20 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for host Serbia on Monday in a 94-81 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Belgrade, part of qualifying for the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Milwaukee Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Milwaukee Sun.
More InformationMANILA, Philippines: A senator in the Philippines who supports Vice President Sara Duterte was arrested on July 6 on a plunder charge,...
KYIV, Ukraine: At least 21 people were killed and 77 injured in two missile and drone attacks in the capital city, Kyiv, and the...
FRANKFURT, Germany: Thousands of people who oppose Germany's far-right AfD party took to the streets of Erfurt on Saturday. They...
MEXICO CITY, Mexico: Mexican officials say that human remains found in the eastern state of Veracruz are those of kidnapped journalist...
MOSCOW, Russia: Russia's second-largest city, St Petersburg, and the nearby region were hit by a large Ukrainian drone attack overnight...
WASHINGTON, D.C./BEIJING/TAIPEI: A man identified by activists and a Tibetan media group as a Tibetan died from serious burns when...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The Trump administration launched its new Trump Accounts investment program on July 4, giving eligible U.S. children...
WASHINGTON D.C.: U.S. job growth slowed sharply in June while the labor force participation rate fell to its lowest level in more than...
(Photo credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images) Brice Turang's two-run single capped a four-run seventh for the Milwaukee Brewers, who rallied...
(Photo credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images) Cardinals reliever Justin Bruihl left St. Louis' Monday home game with no outs in the seventh...
(Photo credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images) Cardinals reliever Justin Bruihl left St. Louis' Monday home game with no outs in the seventh...
(Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images) The Washington Commanders are planning to sign cornerback Rasul Douglas to a one-year deal,...
