Three-time MVP Nikola Jokić will delay signing extension with Nuggets this summer, AP source says

Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić has decided to delay a contract extension with the Denver Nuggets this summer, a person with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press on Tuesday night.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither Jokić nor the Nuggets have addressed the matter publicly. It doesn’t affect Jokić’s status in Denver in the short term: He has at least two years remaining on his deal – $55.2 million this season and $59 million in 2026-27, along with a player option in 2027-28 worth nearly $63 million.

Jokić became eligible Tuesday to sign an extension that could have added three years and around $212 million to his contract. By waiting until next summer to sign, Jokić would be eligible to add four years to his deal at even more money than this summer’s extension would have guaranteed.

Jokić and the Nuggets went 3-0 to close out the season, beat the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games during the first round of the playoffs and took the eventual NBA champion Thunder to seven games in Western Conference semifinals before being eliminated. Jokić averaged 26.2 points and 12.7 rebounds in the postseason run.

In addition, he became the fastest player in NBA history (739 games) to notch 16,000 points, 8,000 rebounds and 5,000 assists. The previous mark was held by Hall of Famer Larry Bird, who reached those numbers in 799 games.

This season, he will have a new coach in David Adelman, who was hired on an interim basis when the Nuggets fired Malone and was promoted to the permanent job. There’s a new front-office structure, too, led by executive vice presidents Ben Tenzer and Jonathan Wallace. They’ve vowed to be aggressive in building another title contender around Jokić in his championship window.

The executive tandem made a splash by breaking up the core of Jokić, Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. by trading Porter and a first-round pick to Brooklyn for Cam Johnson. The team has also brought back Bruce Brown – an integral piece in their championship run – and added sharpshooting wing Tim Hardaway Jr.

ESPN reported earlier this month the Nuggets sent Dario Šarić to the Sacramento Kings for Jonas Valančiūnas, a center who can back up Jokić. The deal hasn’t been announced yet.

Jokić is spending his offseason back in Serbia, where recently he was seen cheering one of his prized racehorses to a victory.