Three-time MVP Nikola Jokić has been clear about his desire to end his NBA career with the Denver Nuggets. The question is how long that NBA career might last for, given an overseas team’s interest in poaching him.
ESPN reported on Monday that Dimitrios Giannakopoulos, a Greek businessman who owns Panathinaikos Basketball Club in Athens, has made a proposal to buy out the final year of Jokić’s current contract.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić dribbles against the Phoenix Suns. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
While the Nuggets already declined Giannakopoulos’ offer, he still seems to believe that he can convince The Joker to sign with him in free agency next summer. Therefore, this proposal was Giannakopoulos’ attempt to have Denver involved in the deal one year before Jokić’s potential free agency rather than waiting a year to sign Jokić outright.
Jokić (who averaged a triple-double last season with 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game) hasn’t signed a contract extension with the Nuggets yet, and has two seasons and $121.8 million left on his current deal. But he has a player option to opt out after the 2027 season, which would make him an unrestricted free agent and technically make him available for Giannakopoulos to court without the need for Denver’s approval.
Jokić has yet to renew his contract with the Denver Nuggets, and has a player option to opt out after the 2027 season. Corey Sipkinfor the NY POST
Given that the 31-year-old center is eligible to sign a five-year, $359.5 million extension with the Nuggets in July 2027, Giannakopoulos’ proposal would presumably need to guarantee more money for Jokić to even consider making such a seismic move.
Then again, Giannakopoulos has an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion, which suggests he has the funds to compete with what would be a record-breaking NBA contract.
Regardless of Giannakoloulos’ interest, Jokić still only seems interested in staying with the Nuggets, which also means staying in the NBA. But money talks — and Giannakoloulos has money in spades.
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