Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic silenced speculation, telling reporters he plans to stay with the Denver Nuggets "forever." His delay on a $207M extension is strategic, not a exit sign, team execs confirm.
Denver Nuggets fans can exhale—their franchise cornerstone isn’t going anywhere. Nikola Jokic, the three-time MVP and 2023 NBA champion, put to rest months of speculation at the team’s preseason media day, delivering a line that’s already echoing through Mile High City: “My plan is to be (with the) Nuggets forever.”
Jokic Shuts Down Drama: "Nugget Forever"
In typical Jokic fashion—casual, no frills, straight to the point—the 30-year-old Serbian quashed rumors linking him to title contenders like the Warriors or Lakers. The buzz started when he delayed talks on a potential three-year, $207 million extension this summer, a move that had fans panicking in the era of superstar load management and team hopping.
“We don’t need to overcomplicate it,” Jokic said, even joking about his age when pressed (“We don’t need to say that. We are friends, not enemies”) . “Those extensions are a reward, natural to the sport. But my plan? Nuggets forever. Or Nuggets—either way.” It’s the kind of loyalty rare in today’s NBA, where “business first” is often the mantra.
Why the Delay? It’s All Strategic (and Smart)
Jokic’s hold-off isn’t about doubt—it’s about timing. He’s eligible for an even bigger deal next summer, one that could add an extra year and $80 million to his contract, thanks to NBA salary cap rules . The Nuggets get it too; team sources told reporters they anticipated and supported the call.
“We feel good with that,” said Jon Wallace, executive vice president of player personnel . It’s a win-win: Jokic secures maximum value, and Denver keeps the player who turned them from a lottery team to a champion. For context, Jokic already has two years left on his current deal, plus a 2027-28 player option—so he’s locked in either way.
From Second-Round Pick to "Forever Nugget": The Journey
Jokic’s love for Denver isn’t random—it’s a full-circle story. The Nuggets took a flier on him with the 41st pick in 2014, a time when he was more focused on joining his girlfriend in the U.S. than stardom . Back then, he drank three liters of Coke a day, was labeled “ordinary” in scouting reports, and saw the NBA as a way to end a long-distance relationship, not win MVPs.
Denver stuck with him through his weight loss, his rise from benchwarmer to All-Rookie First Team, and the years of playoff heartbreak before 2023 . Now, he’s the face of the franchise, a player who celebrates NBA titles but gets just as hyped winning local horse races . “This city didn’t just give me a job,” Jokic once implied. “It gave me a life.”
Nuggets Fans: Loyalty Earned, Loyalty Returned
For Denver fans, Jokic’s commitment hits different. This is a city that loves its underdogs—someone who wasn’t supposed to be a legend, but became one anyway. Social media blew up after his comments, with fans sharing throwback photos of his early Nuggets days next to his 2023 Finals MVP trophy.
It’s a stark contrast to the stress of 2020, when Jokic’s first MVP came with playoff losses and criticism. Now, with a ring and a “forever” promise, the Nuggets have their centerpiece locked in. As one fan put it on Twitter: “We drafted him late, he stayed when times were tough, and now he’s ours forever. That’s Denver basketball.”
For Jokic, it seems simple: Denver believed in him when few did. Now, he’s returning the favor. In an NBA where nothing feels permanent, his “forever” vow is a breath of fresh air—and a reminder that some bonds go beyond contracts.