Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets won the 2023 championship against the Miami Heat in five games. Many thought the next NBA dynasty was upon us.
However, the Nuggets lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the 2024 playoffs in seven games and fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of this year's playoffs in seven games.
Jokic is a three-time MVP. He's considered the best player in the NBA. When the big man speaks, everyone dissects his words carefully to see what he's actually saying and if any subtle messages are being sent.
After the Nuggets lost Game 7 to the Thunder, Jokic was asked if the Nuggets could win a championship moving forward and the future Hall of Famer offered an interesting answer.
The Nuggets will be busy this summer. They have to hire a new general manager and head coach. David Adelman was the interim coach after Michael Malone was fired. He could be named the full-time head coach this summer.
Jokic likely doesn't want to retire with just one championship, so Denver's front office is under pressure to surround the All-Star with more talent this offseason.
Denver Nuggets stars Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon
Denver Nuggets stars Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Jokic is eligible to sign a three-year, $212 million extension this offseason. The assumption around the NBA is that he will sign the extension.
But if there's even a slight pause in his decision-making, it will be devastating for the Nuggets.
Jokic has spent his entire career in Denver. He has career averages of 21.8 points, 10.9 rebounds and 7.2 assists.