Nikola Jokic makes clear he wants his entire NBA career in Denver, plans to sign next summer

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is trying to settle any lingering uncertainty about his future in Mile High City. Speaking to reporters in Serbian after Serbia’s FIBA World Cup qualifying action, Jokic reiterated that he wants to spend his entire NBA career with the Nuggets, framing the decision as both a personal preference and a plan he expects to formalize next year.

Jokic’s message arrives at a time when his contract situation has been a frequent offseason talking point. According to reporting by The Athletic, Jokic has one guaranteed season remaining on his current deal, with a player option that would become an unrestricted free-agent path in 2028 when he turns 33. That same report also describes Jokic’s intent to wait on a new agreement until next summer, rather than closing the extension door immediately.

The motivation, as described by The Athletic, is partly financial. League sources cited by the outlet indicate Jokic is aiming to add another year of max-level money to his eventual extension package. Under that framework, the reporting suggests Jokic believes he can better position the size and structure of his next contract by timing it for the 2027 offseason.

While Jokic has long stayed consistent about wanting to be a “Nugget forever,” this is still a notable moment because it comes amid fresh coverage around the timing of any extension. In a separate account, Yahoo Sports reported Jokic’s direct comments about signing next summer and playing the rest of his life in Denver, underlining that he does not plan to leave uncertainty to drag into the next set of roster decisions.

For the Nuggets, the practical impact is roster construction. Denver’s core has been built around Jokic’s particular style, where playmaking and shot creation often flow through his passing, gravity in the paint, and late-game decision-making. Clarity on his long-term commitment also helps reduce the need to hedge too aggressively around the center position or re-center the franchise plan around a transition.

It is also a statement to the rest of the league. Jokic entering another offseason with the same preference communicated publicly indicates to other contenders that any pursuit would be competing not just with Nuggets basketball, but with a player who appears inclined to treat Denver as his singular destination for the remainder of his career.

What to watch next is the calendar. If Jokic’s expectation holds, the relevant decision point will be next offseason, when he intends to sign the new deal that locks in the next chapter. Until then, Denver will continue to build and finalize around the version of Jokic on the floor now, while the contract storyline stays in a holding pattern rather than becoming a disruptive, immediate distraction.