Are you aware of the worrying rumors that started swirling around the Denver Nuggets‘ Nikola Jokic after the club fired Michael Malone? Rumors suggested that the Joker was frustrated with his team. However, conflicting reports have emerged that the Serbian giant may stay in Colorado for the foreseeable future. So what is the whole ruckus about?
Nikola Jokic and Michael Malone’s first seasons coincided with each other in Denver. With 822 games played, Jokic and Malone were the second-longest tenured player-coach duo. They were only behind Steve Kerr and Draymond Green, who’ve combined for 854 games. So there was legitimate fear about him leaving, but now, things have calmed down as Jokic may be on the cusp of signing a historic contract with the Nuggets.
Per ESPN’s Tim McMahon and Ramona Shelbourne, the league expects Nikola Jokic to sign a massive $212 million, three-year contract extension with the Nuggets! The 30-year-old will be eligible for this extension in the summer. This will only solidify his position as the Denver Nuggets’ main man. Moreover, with Jokic’s future at the club secured, the Kroenke family can look towards rebuilding the team around him.
Jokic expected to stay in Denver
According to Tim MacMahon & Ramona Shelburne the “assumption” around the league is that the Joker will sign a three-year, $212 million extension this offseason.
per @espn_macmahon & @ramonashelburne pic.twitter.com/7rYkKcih6H
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) April 11, 2025
But rebuilding will be much easier said than done for the Nuggets. Injuries to their squad have revealed their lack of depth in key positions. And the best player in the world can only fill in those gaps for so long before the cracks begin to show. So, Denver will need to act quickly if Jokic does end up re-signing with them.
However, just because he’s expected to sign a hefty, new contract doesn’t mean other teams will be deterred if they truly want to pursue him. Moreover, it isn’t a given that he will re-sign with the Nuggets. And per The Athletic, there is a team that’s looking to add the world’s best player to their team to form the scariest Big 3 in league history.
Amid rumors of Nikola Jokic’s frustration with the Nuggets, another team emerges as the favorite for his signature
If we consider the reports from The Athletic to be accurate, then perhaps the Joker will choose not to sign the $212 million extension he becomes eligible for this summer. Per their report, Jokic is not happy with the team’s efforts defensively.
“League sources said there had been significant frustration within the locker room at how the Nuggets were playing, particularly defensively. The Nuggets were just 20th in defensive rating. Jokic has been frustrated with the team’s defensive commitment and performance this season,” read the report from The Athletic‘s Tony Jones, Zach Powell, and Sam Amick.
But there is a team in the NBA that, while not perfect, has made strides defensively. They are the same team that recently held the Oklahoma City Thunder to under 100 points. Yes, we’re talking about the Los Angeles Lakers. And US-based sportsbook Bovada lists them as the favorites to get Jokic’s signature if he decides to leave for greener pastures.
Apr 29, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball up court ahead of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) as forward Anthony Davis (3) and guard Jamal Murray (27) defend in the first quarter during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
And isn’t the prospect of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, AND Nikola Jokic playing together terrifying? They are arguably the most skilled players in the league currently. And playing against their combined basketball IQ will be a nightmare for almost every team in the NBA. Past or present. That said, Calvin Booth’s replacement probably won’t part as easily with Jokic as Nico Harrison did with Luka. Moreover, even if it’s a juicy one, this is still a rumor.
So, do take these reports with a pinch of salt. Ultimately, where the Joker ends up is up to him. He may end up going for that massive $212 million contract extension, after all. No way to know before it happens. So, only time will tell whether we see LeBron, Luka, and Jokic on the same team. But we know Lakers fans are praying every day for that!
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