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Apr 26, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) reacts after not getting a foul call in the second half of game four of round one of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Concerning Nikola Jokic Rumors Get Much-Needed Reality Check

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI
By Logan Struck | Last updated Sep 24, 2025 1:13 PM ET

Since drafting him 41st overall in 2014, Nikola Jokic has become the greatest player in Denver Nuggets history. After three NBA MVP awards and leading the Nuggets to their first championship in franchise history, Jokic has cemented himself among the NBA's all-time best, but the question remains: Will he be a Nugget for life?

Every Nuggets fan would hope the answer to that question is yes, while 29 other fanbases want a taste of him on their roster. Jokic is the first player in NBA history since Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird to finish top two in MVP voting for five years straight, so of course, other teams would want a shot at landing him.

Nikola Jokic's future in Denver

Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The expectation is that Jokic will be in Denver for as long as possible, but there are scenarios where he leaves. During the 2025 offseason, Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke laid out a scenario where they have to trade Jokic if they are crippled by injuries and are stuck at the feared second apron.

Of course, that scenario is nothing to legitimately think about, but there are growing reports about the summer of 2027. Jokic will have a player option for the 2027-28 season, meaning if he is unhappy in Denver for any reason, he can opt out and hit unrestricted free agency in the 2027 offseason.

Many teams are dying for this to happen, likely including the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, who would do all they could to bring a player like Jokic to a big market.

The Golden State Warriors want to maintain cap flexibility for the summer of 2027, when Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić could potentially become free agents, per @sam_amick

“They want to maintain maximum flexibility for that 2027 summer (as it stands, they only have… pic.twitter.com/sLbvCSP8Qk
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 16, 2025

It is a seemingly unlikely scenario where Jokic would leave Denver for any reason, but the window is certainly open.

Zach Lowe shuts it down

Despite this recent talk about 2027 free agency and Jokic potentially leaving Denver, NBA insider Zach Lowe reports that Jokic has never indicated that he would ever want to leave the Nuggets.

"There's never even been a whisper, through coaching changes at the last minute — through roster turmoil, through losing core guys, through Calvin Booth getting fired, through all that — there has never been a whisper of 'this guy wants to go to a different team.' ...There is no panic about it. I haven't heard anything from his agency indicating that he's upset about X, Y, and Z and would ask for a trade. Who knows what's possible, but that's all I heard," Lowe said on The Zach Lowe Show.

Of course, there was also some concern from fans when Jokic decided to hold off on a contract extension this offseason, but again, there is nothing to worry about. By waiting until next offseason for an extension, Jokic can make much more money, which should even entice him to stay in Denver long-term.

There is minimal concern about Jokic leaving Denver in the future, although whatever happens in the 2025-26 season and next offseason will be much more telling if there is anything to worry about.