Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in action against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter at State Farm Arena.
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Denver Nuggets are currently gearing up for the 2026-27 NBA season, recently learning that they will take on the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day this year. The Nuggets are hoping to bounce back after an ugly playoff loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves in this past NBA postseason.
While Nikola Jokic has reiterated his commitment to Denver over the long haul, recently, NBA insider Dave McMenamin wondered aloud if this could change based on the Nuggets' results this season.
“If [Denver] has a season where they go off the rails or they don’t appear to be one of the best teams in the West… [Jokic] could make money a lot of places,” said McMenamin, per the NBA on ESPN on X, formerly Twitter.
Jokic is set to hit free agency next summer, though he has already said he plans to sign a long-term extension with the Nuggets at that point. Still, it's worth considering what might happen if Denver goes off the rails this season.
The Nuggets have won just two playoff series since winning the NBA title back in 2023, and while Jokic remains arguably the best player on the planet, Denver has not seen that greatness translate into playoff success. This past year, the Nuggets were sent home by the severely undermanned Timberwolves, who were playing without Anthony Edwards and other key players, in the first round, marking an ugly end to their 2025-26 season.
The Nuggets haven't had much flexibility to make many moves this offseason, and the team still has to figure out whether they will be bringing back Peyton Watson in free agency.
In any case, the Nuggets' full schedule for the upcoming season is set to be announced on Thursday.