Nikola Jokic headed for $800 million in career earnings
Nikola Jokic continues to delay his extension with the Nuggets: the strategy could allow him to earn nearly $800 million in NBA salary alone
When it comes to Nikola Jokic, nothing really comes as a surprise anymore. Not even the possibility of becoming the highest-paid player in NBA history. The Serbian center could, in fact, approach $800 million in salary alone if he continues to delay his extension with the Denver Nuggets.
It’s a strategy that didn’t start today. This is already the second consecutive year that Jokic has passed on an extension, instead choosing to wait and maximize the value of his next contract.
Why Jokic keeps waiting
According to ESPN contract expert Bobby Marks, Jokic could have signed this summer, but by waiting until 2027 he would be able to put a five-year extension worth around $360 million on the table.
During The Hoop Collective podcast, Marks explained the situation this way:
This is the second year in a row he’s done this. Last year, he could have signed a three-year extension, but he chose to wait so he could add a fourth season and make another $70-80 million
Bobby Marks
The situation is the same this year.
Now he’s waiting until 2027 because he’ll be able to sign a five-year contract worth around $360 million. We’re talking about another $80 million difference. Those are enormous numbers
Bobby Marks
Marks reiterated that he believes the Serbian when he says he wants to stay in Denver, although he acknowledged that the season could become complicated.
I believe him when he says he wants to stay with the Nuggets, but this could be a difficult year. The team didn’t change much during the offseason and, if I were ownership, I wouldn’t want to have this situation hanging over the team
Bobby Marks
The even more extreme idea: wait until 2028
At that point, Brian Windhorst raised an even more intriguing scenario.
What if Jokic doesn’t stop at 2027? The three-time MVP has a $62.8 million player option. If he chooses to exercise it and waits for 2028 free agency, he could sign an even longer contract, essentially covering the final stretch of his career.
Windhorst posed a question that has sparked discussion around the NBA:
If his goal really is to maximize his earnings in the final years of his career, what’s stopping him from exercising the player option and waiting until 2028?
Brian Windhorst
According to the ESPN reporter, the Nuggets would be highly unlikely to refuse him whatever contract he wanted.
Do we really believe Denver wouldn’t give him the contract he wants? If that’s his plan, then he’s simply trying to secure as much money as possible when he’s almost 40 years old
Brian Windhorst
Today, the most likely scenario remains a signing in 2027, but Jokic’s approach over the past two years suggests caution.
If he were to exercise the player option as well and push everything back another season, his total career earnings could reach around $787 million, a figure that could even approach $800 million if the salary cap continues to rise.