Nuggets prez: 'Nothing more important' than keeping Jokic

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Nuggets president Tim Connelly: 'Nothing more important organizationally than making sure Nikola (Jokic) stays here as long as he plays the game'

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 4/29/22

Talk of reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic's future with the Denver Nuggets came up on Thursday, one day after the team was eliminated from the playoffs in the first round by the Golden State Warriors. As he prepares to enter the final year of his five-year, $147 million contract with Denver next season, Jokic expressed his desire to stay with the club long term on Thursday.

On Friday, Nuggets president Tim Connelly said that ensuring the four-time All-Star remain in the mile-high city is a top priority.

Tim Connelly on Nikola Jokic potentially signing the supermax this summer: “There’s nothing more important organizationally than making sure Nikola stays here as long as he plays the game.”
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) April 29, 2022

Per Sam Amick of The Athletic, Denver is planning to offer Jokic a five-year supermax contract extension worth $254 million this offseason.

The Serbian big man finished the 2021-2022 season averaging career highs in points (27.8), rebounds (13.8) and steals (1.5), while adding 7.9 assists per game as well. Jokic posted 31.0 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.6 steals per contest during the five-game series against Golden State.

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