While one NBA analyst is questioning All-Star Nikola Jokic's future with the Denver Nuggets, another believes it's secure regardless of how the 2026-27 season develops. Jokic is expected to sign a historic extension with the Nuggets in 2027, which is why it's hard to fathom him signing elsewhere.

Jokic will be eligible for a whopping five-year, $359.5 million extension next summer, which should keep him with the Nuggets, as ESPN's Brian Windhorst noted, per The Hoop Collective podcast.

“Eastern European players, they don't have a history of plotting to exit in free agency,” Windhorst said. “Those players typically like the teams that they grow up with. Even Giannis, Giannis is Greek. I think if all things are equal, Giannis wanted to stay in Milwaukee. And part of the reason why it was so messy to get Giannis was that he didn't necessarily want to do it. I don't think Jokic wants to leave. His circle is outrageously small.

“At the same time, he knows all this. He understands. He's one of the smartest guys in the league. So, on one hand, if you're looking at this future Power Rankings and you're saying, boy, this is a tough spot, and you're looking at Jokic saying, is he really going to go into the back of his prime in this situation, we should plot to try to get him. At the same time, it just seems totally out of his character and personality to plot to get out of the situation.”

Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, who finished 18th on ESPN's Future Power Rankings, will have their work cut out for themselves amidst a competitive Western Conference, led by the defending champion San Antonio Spurs and the 2024 Finals champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Still, inking arguably the best player in the NBA to a long-term extension doesn't guarantee Denver will be a top team in the league, as ESPN's Dave McMenamin pessimistically noted.

“I take him at his word that it is purely a business decision, financially, to wait to sign his contract,” McMenamin said. “However, in doing that, that still puts the Nuggets — you give him the contract, you don't let the best player in franchise history, one of the best players of this generation, go, if you can keep him — but their ability to build anything close to a contender with Jokic making the most money in the league, the highest salary in the league, it's going to be hard. Really hard.

“Especially with all their picks out the door. I don't see the Nuggets being a legitimate contender for the rest of Jokic's career.”

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The Nuggets, who lost Tim Hardaway Jr. and Peyton Watson via free agency this summer, will have to fill the void left in their respective absences at the wing position, as McMenamin pointed out.

“They lost their two best bench players in Hardaway, and Peyton Watson was a part-time starter, but they lost two key rotation players,” McMenamin said. “With the money, Jokic has stated reasons for waiting and not signing the extension this summer. He wants to maximize the contract. It's literally the biggest contract in the history of the league.”

With the option to sign a four-year, $278 million extension over the summer, Nikola Jokic choosing the more lucrative offer in 2027 isn't out of the norm for a three-time MVP looking to maximize his dollars four years removed from leading the Nuggets to a championship in 2023.

With Denver's finances set up for the foreseeable future, the Nuggets have their core players, such as Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, locked in alongside Jokic, ESPN's Bobby Marks added.

“Well, they're the only team in the second apron. Jokic, of course, has a player option for next year,” Marks said. “They're locked into that Aaron Gordon contract. Christian Braun is on that rookie extension, which is a big number. Cam Johnson could be a free agent, and Jamal Murray is on a max. You're basically top-heavy, and I think that shows you where your bench is. You're basically going to spend the minimum wheel every offseason.”

Jokic, who finished second in MVP voting to Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the second season in a row, averaged 27.7 points on 56.9% shooting, including 38% from deep, also posted career-bests in rebounds (12.9), and assists (10.7) per game in 2025-26.