Jokic Weighs Nuggets Extension Amid Slow Start
Denver center Nikola Jokic has declined a four-year, $278 million extension offer and may not sign one until after the 2026-2027 season.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Basketball
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Nikola Jokic declined a four-year, $278 million extension offer from the Denver Nuggets during the 2026 offseason and may not sign a new deal until after the 2026-2027 season. Through nine games, the Nuggets are 5-4 in the Western Conference.
Why it matters
Jokic is on the final guaranteed year of his contract, and waiting for the 2027 offseason would make him eligible for a five-year supermax deal. The decision carries major implications for the franchise's long-term core.
Jokic is shooting 48.8% from the field and 22.5% from three this season, compared with 38.0% from deep last season. His scoring, rebounding and assist averages through nine games are 23.1, 10.8 and 9.1 per game, respectively, but whether the 3-point drop is a lasting change remains unclear.
The players
Nikola Jokic
Serbian center and a two-time NBA MVP who has anchored the Denver Nuggets' offense since 2015.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver-based NBA franchise competing in the Western Conference, whose front office made the extension offer to Jokic.
Tim Kawakami
Longtime Bay Area sports columnist and NBA commentator who co-hosts The TK Show.
The details
Jokic declined the Nuggets' extension offer to wait for the 2027 offseason, when he becomes eligible for a five-year supermax contract estimated at $359.5 million to $388 million. NBA insider Tim Kawakami said on The TK Show with Sam Amick that a long-term extension is an open question and not guaranteed.
Timeline
2026 offseason: Jokic declined the four-year, $278 million extension offer.
2026-2027 season, first nine games: Jokic's scoring and 3-point numbers have dropped.
2027 offseason: Jokic becomes eligible for a supermax contract and an extension decision.
2027-2028 season: Jokic's $62.8 million player option season.
Season Trajectory
Jokic's decision to delay an extension mirrors the leverage-driven contract timing he used when Denver locked in his earlier deal, shaping how the Nuggets plan around their franchise center. With the team at 5-4 in the Western Conference, the uncertainty over his long-term future will weigh on roster planning this season.
Jokic's reduced 3-point shooting and scoring pace matter for fantasy rosters that rely on his nightly production. Any extension decision will also determine whether Denver's salary-cap structure stays flexible over the next several seasons.
The takeaway
Watching Jokic's shooting numbers and the Nuggets' results through the early season will offer the clearest signals about his extension timing. Fans and fantasy managers should track whether the 3-point decline continues into November and December.
Further reading
Explore more Denver Nuggets coverage on the Basketball section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
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