yahoo
As the 2026-27 NBA season approaches, numerous teams harbor lofty aspirations. However, no team carries the weight of expectation quite like the Denver Nuggets.
Denver stands at a pivotal juncture, with the future of three-time MVP Nikola Jokic casting a long shadow. Since Jokic propelled the Nuggets to the 2023 championship, the team has failed to advance past the second round of the playoffs. The roster has grown older, more costly, and arguably less effective. Following a quiet offseason with minimal improvements, the pressure is mounting for the team to perform, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Jokic's future.
Jokic Declined $278 Million Extension for Strategic Reasons
The central storyline for Denver in 2026-27 is that Jokic is in the last guaranteed year of his contract. After this season, he holds a player option worth nearly $63 million for 2027-28, per Spotrac, with a decision deadline of June 29, 2027. At that point, Jokic will be entering his age-32 season, according to Basketball-Reference. He could have signed a four-year, $278 million extension this past summer but opted to wait, positioning himself for a potential five-year deal worth around $350 million—likely his final major payday. Jokic addressed the situation during a recent media session, labeling it 'business' and verbally committing to re-sign after the season. The front office appears unconcerned about losing him, and Jokic has repeatedly expressed a desire to stay in Denver.
Offseason Moves Fail to Alleviate Pressure
With a franchise cornerstone like Jokic, the goal each year should be to maximize his prime. Denver's lackluster offseason has likely left fans uneasy. The most notable move was trading promising young player Peyton Watson in a five-team sign-and-trade. Watson had a breakout but injury-shortened 2025-26 season, yet the two sides couldn't agree on a new deal, largely due to limited financial flexibility—much of the cap is tied up in contracts like Christian Braun's $125 million extension. Denver's key additions included signing DeMar DeRozan and Marvin Bagley III, retaining Spencer Jones and Tyus Jones, and acquiring a first-round pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Watson trade. As in previous years, the Nuggets will rely heavily on Jokic, needing another All-Star-caliber season from Jamal Murray and good health from key players like Aaron Gordon.
Verbal Commitments Mean Nothing Until the Contract Is Signed
One thing is certain: Nikola Jokic saying he will sign an extension and actually doing so are two different matters. To Nuggets fans and the broader NBA community, Jokic doesn't come across as deceptive. Legacy matters to him—perhaps he aspires to be the next Dirk Nowitzki, who remained with the Dallas Mavericks through thick and thin. Some in the NBA media still view Jokic as untradeable. However, until the contract is signed, his unsigned extension will loom over everything. What if Denver starts slowly? What if the Nuggets underperform? With changes to lottery rules reducing incentives to tank, most teams are motivated to win, making each game more significant. Depth becomes crucial, an area where Denver is lacking. What if the Nuggets suffer another shocking playoff exit, like last year against the shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves? In the NBA, anything can happen. Giannis Antetokounmpo repeatedly committed to the Milwaukee Bucks, yet he was the latest superstar traded this summer. Like Denver, Milwaukee won a title, then experienced gradual decline before reaching a breaking point. Is it unrealistic to think something similar could occur in Denver?
Denver Is Gambling That the Current Core Is Good Enough
Unlike the Giannis situation or other superstars, the Denver Nuggets are taking a significantly greater risk. The ball is in Jokic's court. He can decide whether to sign the extension, based on how 2026-27 unfolds or his true desire to remain in Denver. If he wants out, it's unlikely another team would trade for him unless he committed to signing there. The Nuggets chose not to make a splash this offseason, hoping the current core alongside Jokic is good enough to contend. Jokic and the Nuggets will take the court in under two weeks. From then on, every game will be scrutinized. Anxiety among Nuggets fans will build until that extension is signed.
Originally reported by yahoo.