Nuggets Get Major Nikola Jokic News Regarding His Future

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Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is a three-time NBA MVP.

The Denver Nuggets can breathe a sigh of relief regarding Nikola Jokic and his future with the franchise. The three-time NBA MVP revealed his true feelings about the possibility of playing for another team in the league or in Europe.

Speaking to Edin Avdic on the X&O Chat podcast, Jokic made it clear that he has no intentions of leaving Denver. He loves the city, valuing the things that the franchise has built around him on and off the court.

“Even if we never win anything else after this, an organic title, it means more to me than anything,” Jokic said, via Basket News. “I really found peace here. My two kids were born here. Everyone’s here. Peace, home, I found my life here. And I like life here. I don’t feel the need, I don’t have the urge to. We built something here, together as a team.”

Jokic has been with the Nuggets since 2014, when he was drafted No. 41 during a Taco Bell commercial. He came over a year later, which started the rise of the franchise en route to winning their first NBA championship in 2023.

Jokic Could Become a Free Agent in 2027

The Joker is in the third season of a five-year, $276 million contract extension he signed in 2023, as per Spotrac. He has a player option for the 2027-28 NBA season, so he could become a free agent if he wants to.

Several teams like the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers were positioning themselves to have cap space by the summer of 2027 in preparation for Jokic’s potential free agency, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick.

Other big-name players who could be part of the free agent class include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry, Anthony Davis, Jimmy Butler, Donovan Mitchell, Kawhi Leonard and more.

However, Jokic’s recent comments about his future in Denver should end any speculation about the possibility of him playing for a different team. The rumors about becoming a free agent intensified after he didn’t sign a four-year, $212 million deal.

“I mean, I don’t think about it,” Jokic told reporters before the season started. “I think those contract extensions come as a reward, as something that is natural to the sport. Especially in today’s NBA, how you see how the salary cap is growing and everything.”

According to ESPN, Jokic is eligible to sign a bigger extension this offseason: a four-year, $293 million deal.

Jokic Has No Interest in Playing in Europe

Some international players, especially European players, are choosing to finish their basketball careers for their home countries. However, Jokic is not interested in suiting up even for a European club in his native Serbia.

“No. Nothing against EuroLeague or Europe, but I would not do it,” Jokic said on the X&O Chat podcast.

The three-time NBA MVP had already experienced playing in Europe before he came to the league. He suited up for Mega Basket from 2012 to 2015 in the ABA League First Division. He was even named MVP of the league in 2015 before joining the Nuggets.

Juan Paolo David Juan Paolo David is a sports journalist covering basketball for Heavy. He has a decade of experience writing about the NBA and WWE. He’s currently based in the Philippines. More about Juan Paolo David