Don’t worry Nuggets fans, Nikola Jokic isn’t saying goodbye anytime soon.
Following a FIBA World Cup qualifying game Monday, the Serbian star reaffirmed his desire to extend his contract and finish his career with the Nuggets, though he plans to wait to sign his deal.
“My idea and desire is to stay in Denver,” Jokic told reporters in Serbian. “My desire is to play the rest of my life in Denver.”
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives to the net in the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, in Brooklyn, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Jokic, who’s been with the Nuggets since 2014, is under contract for two seasons and has been eligible since June 14 to sign a four-year, $278 million max extension.
But by waiting until next offseason for an extension, Jokic would be eligible to sign a five-year, $359.5 million deal as a free agent, which would be the largest contract in NBA history and push his career earnings to $724 million.
The 31-year-old was also eligible to sign a three-year, $200 million extension last offseason, but opted to delay the process.
Over 11 years with the Nuggets, Jokic has blossomed into one of the greatest centers in NBA history.
Not only did he help the Nuggets to their first title in 2023, but he’s also won three MVPs (2021, 2022, 2024) and has averaged a triple-double the last two seasons.
Jokic hasn’t averaged fewer than 24 points per game since 2019-20 and has shot well from downtown the last few years, too.
For the second straight season, Jokic was the MVP runner-up behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as he averaged 27.7 points per game on 56.9 percent shooting.
He also led the league with 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game.
Despite Jokic’s heroics, the Nuggets lost to the Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs and haven’t advanced past the second round since winning the title in 2023.
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