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Jokić dismissed any notion that his decision to delay signing an extension—for the second straight year—was motivated by a desire to see what direction the team takes this season.
"I'm going to sign next year," he said, pausing for comedic effect before adding: "If they want me."
Jokić was eligible to sign a four-year extension with the Nuggets in July, but next summer he becomes eligible to add an extra year on a deal projected at $360 million, which would be the richest contract in NBA history.
However, some uncertainty arose around his decision after the Nuggets were eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs last season—marking the first time since 2022 that they failed to win a postseason series.
Behind the scenes, the Nuggets remain confident in their ability to lock up their 31-year-old franchise cornerstone on a new deal, according to team sources.
"Obviously, we can't comment on next summer and future contract matters, but we feel very comfortable with our relationship and mutual trust," Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Ben Tenzer said on Monday. "You heard it from him directly. We have zero concern."
Will that remain the case if Denver stumbles out of the gate and rival teams start inquiring about Jokić's availability?
Jokić shook his head when asked if he was concerned that his contract situation might become a distraction for the team this season.
"I talked to Ben. I talked to Jon (Wallace). I talked to Josh (Kroenke). They know where I stand," Jokić said. "I was more than open about it, and I hope they trust me."
If Jokić signs the extension, he would remain under contract with the team that drafted him until age 37. That would bring the three-time MVP closer to spending his entire career with a single franchise—a rare feat in the modern NBA. On Monday, he was asked about the significance of potentially joining the likes of Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, and Stephen Curry as prominent single-team superstars in recent history.
"I always like to say, when I arrived here, there weren't many people in the stands, and now we've got 150 consecutive sellouts or something like that," Jokić said.
"So it really means a lot to me that I was here when we were just an average team, and now we've grown, won a championship, and still have the ability and opportunity to compete at the highest level and chase titles. To me, that's what legacy is. You want to be legendary. You want to be remembered. And I think that's the way you achieve it—at least in my mindset."
VIDEO Jokić on team captain role and upcoming clash with Italy: The pressure is higher!
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