Jokic has done it again. Another season, another masterclass. Nikola Jokic is reminding the league why he’s not just a superstar but a generational anchor—and this time, he’s doing it amid chaos. While his stats are climbing, the ground beneath Denver is shifting. Front office firings, coaching exits, and now, whispers of a $212M extension—all while Kevin Durant’s name enters the Mile High conversation.
In a shocking pre-playoff move, the Nuggets front office parted ways with longtime head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth. Jokic, who’s had Malone by his side for his entire career, described the day as “heavy.” He later said, “I knew a little bit before everybody. And (Josh Kroenke) told me, ‘We made a decision.’ So it was not a discussion. It was a decision, and he told me why. So I listened and I accept it.”
The shakeup felt like more than just a basketball move—it was an attempt to reaffirm Denver’s commitment to Jokic. A recalibration. A fresh start with him still at the center. His unparalleled court vision, pinpoint passing accuracy, surprising athleticism for his size, and consistent scoring prowess make him a truly singular talent, capable of elevating the play of everyone around him.
Insiders say Jokic has stayed professional—but the backroom chaos hasn’t gone unnoticed. And neither have the on-court frustrations. Following a late-season loss to the Pacers, when asked what concerned him most about the Nuggets, Jokic replied, “I don’t know. Maybe we just, maybe we just… I don’t know, actually.” It was a rare moment of visible uncertainty from the usually composed star.
However, the biggest clue that Jokic is staying? That three-year, $212 million extension on the table.
Multiple insiders, among them ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Ramona Shelburne, and The Athletic’s Sam Amick, believe it’s not a matter of if, but when. And even with the big changes in leadership, Jokic’s trust in ownership and incoming interim coach David Adelman (whom he respects) keeps the odds high.
But here’s where things get spicy: Durant.
Nikola Jokic is eligible to sign a three-year, $212 million extension this offseason.
With the Nuggets set for a reset, which could include roster changes, this is a situation to monitor.
If Denver flames out in the playoffs, they make sense as a trade suitor for Kevin Durant. pic.twitter.com/rAZfntYoWa
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) April 12, 2025
After the Suns’ disastrous season, where even with KD, Beal, and Booker, a significant underachievement given the collective talent and high expectations placed upon their expensive trio, plagued by injuries, inconsistent chemistry, and a lack of cohesive team play, they missed the playoffs, rumblings of Durant’s discontent are growing louder. Multiple teams—including the Kings—have shown interest. But Denver? They’re emerging as a wildcard suitor. However, the biggest question right now? Could Denver go from Jokic’s team to a two-superstar era?
Would Nikola Jokic and Kevin Durant work? A duo that could reshape the West
Fit first. On paper, the combo is lethal. Jokic, the best passing big man in NBA history, paired with Durant, arguably the purest scorer of his generation? Defenses wouldn’t know who to double. The spacing, the vision, the IQ—it’s basketball fantasy.
But at what cost?
Any deal would likely involve Michael Porter Jr. (and perhaps others), gutting Denver’s depth. Plus, Durant is still on a massive $194M deal and turns 37 next season. The Nuggets would need to evaluate not just talent, but longevity and fit in a Jokic-led culture.
There’s also the question of usage. Durant has done amazingly in systems where he’s been the primary scorer—Brooklyn, Golden State, OKC. Jokic, meanwhile, is the fulcrum in Denver’s unselfish, pass-heavy offense. Would KD embrace a system where touches are spread and ego is checked at the door? That’s an open question.
Financially, Denver would be treading into deep luxury tax waters. With limited draft capital and little cap flexibility under the new CBA, the Nuggets would need to send out salary-matching contracts, likely including MPJ and others, just to make the math work.
For the Suns, trading Kevin Durant might seem radical—but not illogical. After the superteam gamble collapsed without even a playoff berth, the front office may view this summer as a chance to hit reset. Moving KD would bring cap relief and young talent, and potentially shift the team back toward a more sustainable future.
More importantly, Phoenix has big bills to pay. They entered the season with the league’s highest payroll and now face severe financial constraints under the new CBA. With max contracts tied up in Durant, Booker, and Beal—without the results to show for it—the Suns are staring at a future of limited flexibility and increasing penalties. Rebalancing the books could become not just smart but necessary.
Durant, for his part, hasn’t requested a trade, but frustration has been visible. He’s offered praise to Jokic in the past, calling him an “all-time great” after a 30-20-20 game, and multiple league sources say he’s quietly open to “evaluating his options,” especially with Phoenix lacking a clear path back to contention.
A trade with Denver would likely involve MPJ and a future pick or two—far from a blockbuster haul, but perhaps enough if Phoenix is prioritizing culture and cohesion over one more Hail Mary run.
Jokic’s staying looks almost certain. His bond with Denver remains strong, even if the faces around him change. But don’t mistake his silence for apathy—those inside the locker room say he’s watching everything. Durant’s future, meanwhile, is murky. And while the Nuggets may not be favorites to land him, their interest adds a thrilling wrinkle to the offseason narrative.
If Jokic and Durant do team up, the West won’t just shift. It’ll quake.
The post Plot Thickens in Denver With NBA Insider’s Nikola Jokic Update as $194M Star Linked With Nuggets Move appeared first on EssentiallySports.