Now on the verge of becoming a legit threat in a packed Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets are proving to have a solid blueprint in place.
While Denver possesses plenty of talent in their backcourt and on their wings, the multi-faceted game of center Nikola Jokic has been their focal point offensively. With the game trending more towards smaller lineups and guard play, the Nuggets are instead committed to continuing with the 6-foot-10 Jokic as their franchise centerpiece. According to Yahoo’s Shams Charania, the Nuggets will decline Jokic’s option for next season but plan to agree to a new 5-year, $146.5 million max deal with the Serbian big man.
The Denver Nuggets will decline Nikola Jokic’s team option for next season — making him a restricted free agent — and plan to reach agreement on a five-year, $146.5 million maximum contract with the 23-year-old star, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Denver could have exercised a $1.6 million, fourth-year team option for next season but that would have allowed Jokic to enter unrestricted free agency in 2019.
The Nuggets faced a June 29 deadline to decide on Jokic’s option, and they have said repeatedly that they plan to retain Jokic for the long term. Both the franchise and Jokic’s representatives have worked through discussions on his future in recent weeks, league sources said.
The Nuggets have a clear core intact and seem content to move forward with Nikola Jokic spearheading their unit. While Gary Harris, Jamal Murray, and the recently drafted Michael Porter Jr. provide enticing longterm potential, Jokic has already entrenched himself as one of the game’s premier versatile centers.
With his impressive shooting stroke and crafty interior playmaking abilities, Jokic is a force to reckon with on offense but his play on the less glamorous end leaves a lot to be desired.
Jokic averaged a well-rounded stat line of 18.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.1 assists but it’ll be the defensive side of the ball that will ultimately determine whether Denver made the right decision with handing out this steep contract.
