Latest news with #JoshKroenke
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nuggets Owner Admits There Is A "Nightmare" Scenario Where They Are Forced To Trade Nikola Jokic
Nuggets Owner Admits There Is A "Nightmare" Scenario Where They Are Forced To Trade Nikola Jokic originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Denver Nuggets don't care to imagine a world where they can't rely on Nikola Jokic to keep them relevant in the championship conversation. But according to Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke, there is a world where they have to move on from Jokic, and it's not as far off as he'd like. Advertisement "I think that for us as an organization, going into that second apron is not something that we're scared of," said Kroenke in a media interview. "I think there are rules around it that we need to be very careful of with our injury history. The wrong person gets injured, and very quickly, we're in a scenario that I never want to have to contemplate, and that's trading No. 15. So we're very conscious of that pushing forward, and providing the resources that we can when the moment arrives. But that second apron, is it a hard cap? I'm not 100% sure, but it is something teams are aware of going forward." Kroenke also spoke on Jokic extension talks, with his current contract set to expire in 2028. While he wants Nikola to re-sign, he made no promises about the future. 'We're definitely going to offer it," said the Nuggets owner. "I'm not sure if he's going to accept it or not because we're also going to explain every financial parameter around him signing now versus signing later." The Nuggets are only two years removed from their championship run, which was the first in franchise history. Since that time, Nikola Jokic has only gotten better and has carried the Nuggets to contention despite losing key players from their 2023 team, such as Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Advertisement This past season, Jokic averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game on 56.0% shooting. He was second in MVP voting as he led the Nuggets to the fourth seed in the West. Things were looking good until the second round, when they lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games. This defeat came after the firing of Michael Malone, amid reports of division and animosity in the locker room. As the Nuggets start fresh with new leadership, their stance on Jokic hasn't changed, but there are some things they cannot control. Much like the situation in Boston with Jayson Tatum, if a major injury were to happen to someone like Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., or Jokic himself, the Nuggets would be stuck in NBA purgatory, in between contention and competing for the draft lottery. If the situation ever got unsalvageable, the Nuggets would seemingly trade Jokic as a last resort, and the haul they would get for him would be historically massive. Teams like the Knicks, Lakers, Bulls, or Spurs would give up everything for Jokic, a 3x MVP, former NBA champion, and 7x NBA All-Star. Advertisement At minimum, the Nuggets would get back a number of draft picks and several young players, likely making a deal that included three or four teams. While a blockbuster trade like that might be enough to put the Nuggets on a path to rebuilding, they'd be hard-pressed to find any player (in the draft or free agency) better than Jokic is right now. So, for team owner/governor Josh Kroenke, he must do everything he can to maximize Jokic's game and make the most of his status as the greatest player in the NBA right now. Besides good health, the Nuggets will need the right roster to succeed, and that starts now, with enough planning and foresight to make the necessary improvements. Related: "You Can't Sell Him": Former Teammate Criticizes Nikola Jokic For Lack Of Personality And Charisma This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Denver Nuggets' 3-Time MVP Jokic Opts Against Extension ... For Now
Nikola Jokic points toward next summer as the time to sign a lucrative contract extension. (AP ... More Photo/Nate Billings) The feeding frenzy at the top of the NBA contract extension market will not include Denver star Nikola Jokic. Jokic, a three-time NBA Most Valuable Player, has told team officials that he will not sign the three-year, $207 million contact extension that he could have signed Tuesday and which would have kicked in for the 2027-28 season, the Denver Post reported. Jokic instead will play for $59 million in 2025-26, in the final year of the supermax contract he signed prior to the 2023 season. That deal includes a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28. By waiting a year to renegotiate, Jokic is eligible to add another year to his extension, which would make the three-year package worth about about $290 million. Jokic could earn about $80 million in 2030-31, the final year of the deal, his age-36 season. The Nuggets presented both sides of the extension issue with Jokic in the offseason, the Post reported. 'I'm not sure if he's going to accept it or not because we're also going to explain every financial parameter around him signing now versus signing later,' Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke said in late June. Decision Could Be a Win for Both Sides By putting off the extension, the Nuggets have the possibility of rostering Jokic for an addition year. Jokic, for his part, could opt to test the free agent market if he feels the Nuggets have not done enough to remain title contenders. The downside to his decision to defer is a potential career-threatening injury, but it seemed a risk worth taking inasmuch as he has played at least 69 games in all of his 10 NBA seasons. Jokic is the second player since Larry Bird to finish in the top five in MVP voting for five straight seasons after finishing second in 2025. He won the award in 2021-2022 and 2024. He was critical of the Nuggets' lack of depth following their 125-93 rout by Oklahoma City in the Game 7 of Western Conference semifinals. 'We played for so long in such a way, it's hard for guys to step up against really good teams,' Jokic said. "It definitely seems like the more the rotation and a longer bench, those are the teams who are winning — Indiana, OKC, Minnesota.' Asked if the current Denver core was good enough to follow the 2023 title with another, Jokic was blunt. 'We didn't, so obviously we can't,' Jokic said. 'If we could, we would win it. So I don't know. I don't believe in the 'if, if' stuff. So we had an opportunity, we didn't win it, so I think we can't.' Nuggets Look to Answer Jokic's Concerns The Nuggets have made moves to address those concerns under what Kroenke calls an 'unorthodox' front office, where Ben Tenzer is the executive vice president of basketball operations and Jonathan Wallace is the executive vice president of player personnel. Denver traded Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson and signed free agents guard Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. to veteran minimum contracts. Brown was integral reserve on their 2023 title team. They also traded for center Jonas Valanciunas, but that deal is in limbo because reports indicate Valanciunas has accepted an offer to play with Panathinaikos of the Greek league. The Nuggets' moves add depth and also create the sort of financial flexibility that forced them out of the top of the free agent market because of second apron concerns a year ago. Best affordable option Russell Westbrook was not enough. Aaron Gordon ($22.8 million) and Johnson ($21 million) will make manageable salaries this season, and Brown and Hardaway will make only about $2.3 million apiece. Porter is due $79 million the next two seasons; Johnson, $44 million. With Jokic deferring, the Nuggets are $10 million under the first apron and $22 million under the second apron at this point. Gordon and Jamal Murray are the only Nuggets under contract through next season, pending Jokic's player option for 2027-28, which more room moving forward.
Japan Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Nuggets' Nikola Jokic reportedly to wait until next summer for contract talks
Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic, eligible as of Tuesday for a contract extension, will wait until next summer to negotiate a new deal, the Denver Post and ESPN reported. A three-time MVP, Jokic is eligible for a three-year, $206.4 million contract extension, which Nuggets management has publicly said it would offer. However, the center could wait for a max contract worth $285.4 million if he signs next summer. Jokic, 30, has until Oct. 20 to sign for the lesser total, per reports, or can continue to play the three years left on a five-year, $276 million extension he signed in the summer of 2022. The final season, 2027-28, is a player option valued at $62.8 million. The player-option year would be replaced by a new deal, or he can wait until 2026 and add a fourth year at an extra $77 million, per ESPN. Contract negotiations could be shaped by factors such as salary-cap raises and incentives, but once next season starts, the contract cannot be extended until July 1. "We're definitely going to offer it," Nuggets President Josh Kroenke told reporters recently of a contract extension this summer for Jokic. "I'm not sure if he's going to accept it or not, because we're also going to explain every financial parameter around him signing now versus signing later. To be completely transparent, that's the way we always are. And then he makes the best decision for himself and his family, and we'll support him in it." A seven-time All-Star and All-NBA selection, Jokic will be in for a lucrative contract either way. The native of Serbia arrived in Denver as a second-round selection (41st pick overall) in the 2014 NBA Draft. He earned MVP honors in the 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons and has been a top-2 finalist for five straight years. Jokic averaged a triple-double with 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists along with 1.8 steals and 36.7 minutes in starting 70 regular-season games last season — with the scoring and assists at career-high rates. He averaged 26.2 points, 12.7 rebounds and 8.0 assists in 14 playoff games. He has career averages of 21.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 31.7 minutes in 745 regular-season games (704 starts). Jokic led the Nuggets to the league championship in 2023, earning NBA Finals MVP honors.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Fans Excited After Nikola Jokic News
Lakers Fans Excited After Nikola Jokic News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Nikola Jokic has firmly solidified his place as one of the greatest centers to ever play the game. A three-time NBA MVP and NBA champion, the Serbian big man has been the heart of the Denver Nuggets since entering the league in 2015. Last season, Jokic averaged an impressive 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game, once again putting up historic numbers while leading Denver to another playoff run. Advertisement However, despite Jokic's impressive run, recent comments from Nuggets president Josh Kroenke sparked some chatter about his long-term future. Kroenke noted the franchise's commitment to building around Jokic but admitted that no scenario could be completely ruled out in the NBA, which only fueled speculation among rival fanbases. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15).© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images That speculation grew louder on Tuesday when Bennett Durando of the Denver Post reported that Jokic has informed the Nuggets he won't sign a contract extension this offseason. On the surface, it may look concerning for Denver fans, but the decision is really more of a formality. By waiting until the 2026 offseason to extend, Jokic could add approximately $80 million more to his deal under the league's new salary cap projections. Advertisement Still, that context didn't stop Lakers fans from flooding social media with their excitement. Many are already dreaming up scenarios in which Jokic would eventually make his way to Los Angeles. 'Let the Laker rumors begin,' one fan wrote. 'So he's a Laker,' another posted. 'If he joins the Lakers … Bron getting 2 more rings 🤣🤠,' another fan said. 'So he gonna join Luka,' one user added. 'Welcome home,' another Lakers fan remarked. The Nuggets are expected to continue building around their MVP — but until pen officially hits paper in 2026, fans in Los Angeles and beyond will be watching every move. Advertisement Related: Lakers Fans Excited After Unexpected Nikola Jokic Trade Message From Nuggets Owner Related: LeBron James Reacts to Bronny James' Dunk in Lakers Summer League Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nikola Jokić reportedly won't sign extension with Nuggets this summer as more money awaits next offseason
Don't panic, Denver Nuggets fans. Nikola Jokić won't sign a contract extension with the Nuggets this offseason, according to the Denver Post. But there's a perfectly good — and obvious — reason for the season. He'll stand to secure roughly $80 million more if he waits to sign an extension until 2026. Advertisement Per the Post, Jokić has informed the Nuggets that he won't sign an extension this summer, the first offseason he was eligible to do so. Jokić is approaching the third year of a five-year, $276 million supermax contract that runs through the 2027-28 season. The final season of the deal comes with a player option, so his services are secured in Denver through the 2026-27 season. Jokić is eligible this summer to sign a three-year, $212 million extension ($70.6 million AAV) that would keep him under Denver's control into his mid-30s. The precise value of an extension if he waits until 2026 isn't clear. But per multiple reports including the Post's, waiting until next summer would net Jokić an additional year on the extension and an estimated $80 million more in guaranteed money. That's plenty of reason to exercise patience. Josh Kroenke's stance on Jokić extension The decision by Jokić was expected and reported on the first day that he was eligible to sign an extension. Nuggets governor Josh Kroenke anticipated the decision in comments to media in June. 'We're definitely going to offer it,' Kroenke said of an extension for Jokić. 'I'm not sure if he's going to accept it or not, because we're also going to explain every financial parameter around him signing now versus signing later. "To be completely transparent, that's the way we always are. And then he makes the best decision for himself and his family, and we'll support him in it.' Advertisement Can Nuggets compel Jokić to remain long term? Jokić, 30, is a three-time MVP who led the Nuggets to the franchise's first NBA championship in 2023. He's coming off another MVP-caliber season in which he finished second in voting to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Extension talk arrives amid an offseason of change in Denver in which the Nuggets have hired a new coach and revamped their front office after dismissing head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth late in the season. Nikola Jokić stands to secure roughly $80 more in guaranteed money if he waits to sign an extension. () (Sam Hodde via Getty Images) With new coach David Adelman at the helm, the Nuggets pushed the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in a second-round playoff series that exposed the flaws in Denver's roster. Denver's new front-office tandem of executive vice presidents Ben Tenzer and Jonathan Wallace has been aggressive this offseason in retooling Denver's roster in hopes of maximizing the remainder of Jokić's prime — and convincing him to stay. Advertisement The Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that returned sharp-shooting wing Cam Johnson and opened up salary cap flexibility for Denver to address significant depth issues. They've capitalized on that flexibility by reuniting with wing defender Bruce Brown, adding more shooting in veteran guard Tim Hardaway Jr. and providing much-needed post relief for Jokić in trading for center Jonas Valančiūnas — though it remains to be seen if Valančiūnas will play for the Nuggets as he's being courted overseas. The moves signal Denver's intent to return to championship contention. And the Nuggets are certainly hoping that they'll nudge Jokić into signing a four-year extension next summer.
