Financial Windfall Awaits Jokic in Summer of 2026

Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic, eligible as of July 8 for a contract extension, will wait until 2026 to negotiate a new deal, The Denver Post and ESPN reported.

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A three-time Most Valuable Player, Jokic is eligible for a three-year, US$206.4 million (S$264.3 million) contract extension, which Nuggets management has publicly said it would offer. However, the center could wait for a max contract worth US$285.4 million, if he signs in the summer of 2026.

Jokic, 30, has until Oct 20 to sign for the lesser total, or can continue to play the three years left on a five-year, US$276 million extension he signed in the summer of 2022, according to the reports. The final season, 2027-28, is a player option valued at US$62.8 million.

The player-option year would be replaced by a new deal, or he can wait until 2026 and add a fourth year at an extra US$77 million, reported ESPN.

Contract negotiations will consider factors like salary-cap increases and performance incentives. However, once the upcoming season begins, no contract extensions can be made until July 1.

"We're definitely going to offer it," Nuggets president Josh Kroenke told reporters recently of a contract extension this summer for Jokic.