Online Reporter
Three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic told reporters in his native Serbia that he wants to be a Denver Nugget for life, but he’s not rushing into a contract extension this offseason.
“My idea is to sign next summer and stay with Denver for the rest of my career,” Jokic told reporters in Serbian after a FIBA World Cup qualifying game Monday. “My idea and desire is to stay in Denver. I’ll probably sign next year. … My desire is to play the rest of my life in Denver.”
According to ESPN, Jokic becomes eligible for a five-year, $359.5 million contract in the summer of 2027, which would be the most lucrative deal in NBA history.
That’s enough reason for Jokic, 31, to skip past the max extension he is currently eligible for (four years, $278 million).
The center led the NBA in rebounding (12.9 per game) and assists (career-high 10.7 per game) while scoring 27.7 points per contest in 65 games for the Nuggets in 2025-26. He finished runner-up in MVP balloting to Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the second straight season after winning the award in 2021, 2022 and 2024.
Jokic guided the Nuggets to the 2023 league title, but despite finishing the 2025-26 season third in the Western Conference they were knocked out of the playoffs in a six-game, first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Jokic tallied 20 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for host Serbia on Monday in a 94-81 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Belgrade, part of qualifying for the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
Meanwhile, The Philadelphia 76ers officially unveiled their revamped roster Monday, completing the blockbuster trade for Jaylen Brown while also confirming the signing of free-agent guard Anfernee Simons.
Philadelphia announced the acquisition of Brown from the Boston Celtics, sending veteran forward Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks to its longtime division rival.
The 76ers also confirmed the signing of Simons, adding another perimeter option to a group now built around Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
Brown, 29, arrives after spending his first 10 NBA seasons in Boston, where he became a five-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA second-team selection and the 2024 NBA Finals MVP.
The third overall pick in the 2016 draft averaged a career-best 28.7 points last season, the fourth-highest mark in the league, while adding career highs in rebounds (6.9) and assists (5.1).
Over his career, Brown has averaged 20.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.0 steals, shooting 47.8 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from 3-point range in 674 regular-season games (567 starts). He has three years remaining on the five-year, $285 million supermax deal he signed with Boston in 2023.
“I’m excited to begin this next chapter in Philly,” Brown said. -Reuters.
“From every conversation I’ve had, it’s clear this is a group that’s hungry, competitive and committed to winning; and that’s the kind of environment I’ve always embraced.”
The 76ers are betting on Brown’s two-way game and postseason resume after a decade in Boston that included 142 playoff appearances (122 starts) and a championship run. Since entering the league in 2016, Brown’s 523 combined regular-season and playoff win total is the highest in the NBA.
Philadelphia managing partner Josh Harris called Brown “one of the best two-way players in the league,” while thanking George for his time with the organization.
George, 36, spent two seasons with the 76ers, averaging 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.8 steals in 78 total games. He now heads to Boston along with a package that includes Philadelphia’s unprotected 2031 first-round pick, a top-16 protected 2028 first-round pick tied to the Los Angeles Clippers, and second-round selections in 2028 and 2030 -Reuters.
