Denver confident as Jokic pushes extension talks to 2026

Nikola Jokic has made clear he intends to remain with the Denver Nuggets long term, but the three-time MVP will wait until next summer to sign a contract extension, according to multiple reports. Jokic, who is eligible for a four-year, $278 million supermax deal this offseason, told reporters in Serbia that he plans to delay negotiations, ESPN reported. This means he will enter the final guaranteed year of his current contract without a long-term agreement beyond 2027, as the Denver Post noted.

ESPNJokic opts to wait on Nuggets extension until '27

"Jokic reaffirmed his desire to say with the Nuggets long term but said he's opting to wait until next summer to sign an extension."

The decision is primarily financial, according to Yahoo News New Zealand, which reported that Jokic is waiting until next offseason for financial reasons. By pushing the extension to 2026, Jokic could potentially sign a larger deal based on changes to the salary cap or his own earning timeline, though the specifics of the financial advantage were not detailed by any source.

Yahoo News New ZealandNikola Jokic sends clear message regarding future with Nuggets, contract extension

Despite the delay, the Nuggets organization remains confident in Jokic’s commitment. The Denver Post emphasized that the team is not worried about his long-term intentions. This is not the first time Jokic has declined to sign a supermax extension early; he has previously opted to wait, and the franchise has consistently expressed faith in his loyalty.

"The three-time MVP is eligible for a four-year, $278 million extension but told reporters in Serbia he plans to delay."

Jokic’s current contract runs through the 2026-27 season, with the final year being a player option according to ESPN. By delaying, he avoids locking in a deal now and maintains flexibility, but the Nuggets appear unfazed. As Yahoo News New Zealand reported, Jokic has "broken his silence" on the matter, sending what the outlet called a clear message about his future with the franchise. For now, Denver fans can rest assured that their superstar center intends to stay, even if the paperwork will wait another year.