Why Nikola Jokic can’t get a no-trade clause in his next Denver Nuggets deal, according to Marc Stein

At 30, Jokic remains in the thick of his prime, and it’s clear that keeping him should be at the top of Denver’s priorities.

Jokic is under contract for three more years, provided he takes up his $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season.

So it wasn’t surprising that Jokic held off on signing an extension this summer. He’s expected to make a decision in 2026, and many have assumed he’d be looking to include a no-trade clause.

But as NBA analyst Marc Stein explained on X, that isn’t an option.

“Because no-trade clauses cannot be added to extensions. Beal got one because he went to unrestricted free agency and did an entirely new contract,” Stein wrote.

While Jokic has enough time served both in the league and with one team to qualify for a no-trade clause, Stein said that the rules still prevent him from having one built into an extension.

“If Jokic extends his current deal, he can’t secure a full NTC even though he obviously meets the service-time requirements,” Stein added.

Lillard joins select group with no-trade clause after Portland deal

The soonest Jokic could get a full no-trade clause is in the summer of 2027. In the meantime, another NBA star has just secured one: Damian Lillard.

He recently agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers as an unrestricted free agent.

Stein explained on X: “With eight years of NBA service time and four years already banked as a Blazer, and because this will be a new contract and not an extension, Lillard is eligible for a full no-trade clause.”

Lillard joins LeBron James as the only active players with that level of control over their future moves.

As Stein pointed out, it’s currently just Lillard and LeBron holding full NTCs. Whether Jokic eventually joins them remains to be seen, but 2027 could be when that happens.