Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic agrees to record-breaking deal with Nuggets

Back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic agreed to a five-year, $264M supermax contract extension with the Denver Nuggets that breaks the record for the largest deal in league history, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Jokic, 27, was a second-round pick in 2014 and has emerged as arguably the most dominant force in the NBA over the last few seasons. After making the NBA All-Star Game for the first time in the 2018-19 season, Jokic earned the MVP award in the last two years.

In the 2021-22 season, Jokic averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists. He recorded a league-leading 19 triple-doubles, the most any center has recorded in a season since Wilt Chamberlain in 1967-68. Jokic is now seventh all-time in triple-doubles, two behind Chamberlain for sixth and the most ever for a center.

Jokic's new contract far surpasses the five-year, $228.2M supermax extension that Giannis Antetokounmpo signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in December 2020 for the largest in NBA history. Jokic joins Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and the Washington Wizards' Bradley Beal as the only three players making more than $50M per season.

The Nuggets finished the 2021-22 season with a 48-34 record and lost in five games in a first round matchup against the Warriors.