JUST IN: Nikola Jokic Turning Down $212M Could Be Exactly What the Nuggets Need—Josh Kroenke’s Comments Say It All…
Nikola Jokic is eligible for a three-year, $212.5 million contract extension with the Denver Nuggets this offseason. Based on his past behavior, it’s likely he’ll agree to it without making a fuss.
But that might not be the smartest move.
From a financial perspective, Jokic stands to gain more by waiting. If he holds off until next summer, he could sign a four-year deal worth $293.4 million—roughly $80 million more. Still, this isn’t entirely about money.
It’s about creating a sense of urgency within the Nuggets organization.
Declining the Extension Would Send a Message to Denver’s Front Office
After Denver’s Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jokic pointed out a glaring issue: the team’s severe lack of depth. By postponing an extension, he could subtly push the team to address that flaw.
Even if Jokic doesn’t sign the deal this summer, the Nuggets still have him under contract for at least two more seasons, through 2025-26, with a player option for 2027-28. Free agency isn’t knocking yet, and no one really expects him to walk away.
Still, the mere idea that Jokic might be uncertain about his future would send a strong message to team owner Josh Kroenke and whoever eventually replaces Calvin Booth as GM.
Don’t dismiss this strategy just because Jokic leaving seems far-fetched. He’s a once-in-a-generation player, and the Nuggets likely won’t have someone of his caliber again for decades. The franchise has a duty to make the most of his prime years—and nothing fuels urgency like uncertainty over your franchise cornerstone’s commitment.
Josh Kroenke May Need a Wake-Up Call
The Nuggets shouldn’t require a subtle threat from Jokic to take an aggressive approach this offseason. Yet, recent remarks by Kroenke suggest the team is content to “run it back” and rely solely on internal growth.
That would be a serious miscalculation. By the time their playoff run ended against the Thunder, Denver couldn’t even rely on more than six players. Hoping internal development solves that in one offseason is overly optimistic.
To be fair, Kroenke’s comments likely reflect Denver’s limited financial flexibility. If Dario Saric and Russell Westbrook opt in, the Nuggets’ main tool for roster improvements would be the mini mid-level exception—worth $5.7 million. As Nuggets fans know, that amount typically lands role players like Saric or Reggie Jackson—not game-changers.
Their draft capital is also limited—they can only move one future first-round pick (in 2031 or 2032), which doesn’t give them much leverage in trade talks.
But here’s the thing: that’s not Jokic’s responsibility. And it’s not the fans’ problem either. While everyone understands the constraints of the NBA’s second luxury-tax apron, that doesn’t excuse the front office from doing everything in their power to improve the team right now.
No one’s asking them to throw away Peyton Watson and a first-rounder for a minor upgrade. But they do need to evaluate the trade value of every non-Jokic asset. The Nuggets may be limited, but they’re not out of options—unless they choose to act like they are. Clinging to a “two-timeline” strategy when none of their younger players are showing star potential is just delusional.
Ultimately, just like Calvin Booth before him, Josh Kroenke seems in need of a reality check. Jokic declining a guaranteed $212.5 million deal wouldn’t be ideal—but it could serve as the jolt this front office needs to stop wasting their superstar’s prime and shortchanging their fans.
