Nikola Jokic makes it clear again: He will sign an extension with the Nuggets

DENVER — Despite not signing a contract extension with the Denver Nuggets either of the last two summers, Nikola Jokic has once again verbally committed to staying in Colorado.

The three-time MVP has said it consistently before — he wants to play every game of his NBA career for the Denver Nuggets. During Monday’s media day ahead of the 2026-27 season, Jokic made it as clear as possible.

“I’m going to sign next year…” he said.

“If they want me,” he added.

Jokic is bypassing the four-year, $278 million extension he’s been eligible for all summer and can sign anytime between now and June 30, 2027. Instead, he is eyeing the five-year maximum with a no-trade clause he can only get by opting-out and becoming a free agent in the summer of 2027. The bill on that? $360 million.

This was the second straight offseason Jokic has elected not to sign an extension. Last year he passed on a three-year, $206 million deal. This summer the number jumped to four years and $278 million after he waited — a smart financial play that added a guaranteed year into his mid-30s.

The five-year max as a free agent he can sign in 2027 is the longest and most lucrative deal the Nuggets can offer, with a no-trade clause attached, and it can only happen if Jokic hits the open market. The tradeoff is that it requires a full season of uncertainty in Denver, where unease between the star and the Nuggets title window is a talking point.

Jokic has again tried to take away some that uncertainty by saying “it’s purely business… I talked to (executives and ownership) I was being more than open about it and hopefully they trust me.”

Nikola Jokic about his contract extension with the Nuggets: "I'm going to sign next year….
if they want me."

Says it's purely business.

"I was being more than open about it, and
hopefully they trust me." pic.twitter.com/15vk966PnH

— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) September 28, 2026

Jokic has left no ambiguity about his desire to be a Nugget — that should calm the fire-alarm crowd worried about him leaving.

Speaking of worries, brass isn’t at all.

“We can’t comment on next summer and future stuff but we feel very comfortable with the relationship and the trust there and you’ve heard what he has said. We have no concerns,” Nuggets co-GM Ben Tenzer said on Monday.

Nuggets co-executives say they have “no concerns” about Nikola Jokic’s future being in Denver. pic.twitter.com/abQF8zIdQG

— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) September 28, 2026

So the season has begun and Jokic has made it clear — it won’t be his last in Denver.

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