The Denver Nuggets are one of the top contenders for the NBA title next season, and they remain as they are while Nikola Djokic is on the roster.
This offseason, the Denver Nuggets worked hard to strengthen the Nikola Djokic area and built on the foundations of teams that won 50 games in 2024-25.
The move to bring in Cam Johnson in the Michael Porter Jr. trade has been hailed as a “home run,” but they are also optimistic to keep up with a new addition to Jonas Valanciunas despite their intention to play in the Euroleague.
One of the few long-term worries has surpassed Nikola Jokic’s contract, with the superstar delaying his future decision until 2026.
But NBA insider Brian Windhorst thinks there’s little to worry about Nuggets.
Nicola Djokic has been part of the Denver Nuggets since being drafted in 2014 with his 41st overall pick. He won multiple MVPs along with the NBA title in 2023, becoming the league’s best player.
He was in the class last season despite Shai Ggeous-Alexander earning the MVP. Jokic has registered more triple doubles than any player in the league.
Brian Windhorst told ESPN’s first take that Jokic’s easygoing attitude means that the Denver Nuggets don’t have to worry too much about his contract situation.
He explained: “He is the rarest thing in basketball, he is a huge stress-free star.
“They have never emphasized his contract, he puts no pressure on the organization, he doesn’t say things on social media, he doesn’t say things on streams.
“The only thing he does is go to horse racing and dance while drinking wine in the offseason. He’s an absolute stress-free superstar.
“When he last signed the contract, Super Max at the time, there’s absolutely no worries. He delivers the championship, stays healthy and has nothing to cause problems.”
Despite the way Nikola Jokic does her own, teams across the league are paying close attention to Nikola Jokic’s situation, Windhorst explains.
This was exacerbated by the Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke by putting his foot in his mouth, saying there might be a situation where he might need to trade Jokic.
Windhorst said: “What we’re seeing now is that teams are starting to look to 2027 and make decisions. The Clippers and Lakers are trying to save cap space.
“But the ‘we see’, and the ‘flash raised’ part sparks the NBA’s actions, and that’s what we’re seeing. ”
The team will certainly dream of adding a joke to their roster, but until that happens, his mind is only in Denver, and there is a lot of basketball to play between now and 2027.