​Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic has repeatedly expressed his intention to re-sign with the Denver Nuggets when free agency opens next year. Yet Nuggets general manager Jon Wallace offered remarks Saturday that could be music to the ears of the Los Angeles Lakers, who are viewed as a potential threat to pry Jokic away from Denver. In an interview with ESPN, Wallace admitted a sense of inevitability, saying the Nuggets have “no choice” but to trust that Jokic will remain with the team. “We feel confident,” Wallace stated about Jokic re-upping with Denver during the Summer League, as reported by Bennett Durando of the Denver Post. “We trust him. We’ve got no choice but to.”
With the Lakers having already secured long-term deals for Walker Kessler and Austin Reaves, they currently lack the cap space to pursue Jokic next summer if the Nuggets star declines his $62.8 million player option. Still, the NBA is known for its twists, and a sign-and-trade could theoretically be explored by leveraging the contracts of Kessler and potentially Reaves, along with draft assets, should Denver entertain offers.
A notable dynamic in play is Jokic’s friendship with Lakers star Luka Doncic. The two have long shared mutual admiration for each other’s games, and Doncic recently highlighted Jokic as his “dream” 2-on-2 partner, placing him above LeBron James and other superstars in the league. When Doncic returned to Los Angeles in February 2025, many assumed the Lakers would target a true co-star for him in the 2027 free-agent class, which was expected to feature players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jokic. Antetokounmpo’s future appeared uncertain after a trade to Miami, but Jokic remained in the spotlight as a potential 2027 free agent.
From Jokic’s perspective, delaying his extension makes financial sense. He could sign a four-year, $278 million deal this year, but waiting could unlock a more lucrative five-year contract in 2027, a possibility that ESPN’s Dave McMenamin has highlighted. McMenamin noted that a five-year, $359.5 million deal in 2027 would be the largest contract in NBA history, pushing Jokic’s career on-court earnings to an estimated $724 million, per Bobby Marks of ESPN Front Office.
Jokic himself has alluded to a long-term future with the Nuggets. After a recent FIBA World Cup qualifier, he stated clearly that he plans to stay in Denver for the rest of his career and that he would likely sign his next contract there. “My idea and desire is to stay in Denver. I’ll probably sign next year,” he said, adding, “My desire is to play the rest of my life in Denver.” Those sentiments, if sincere, would align with Nuggets fans’ hopes and Wallace’s cautious optimism.
However, the real drama could hinge on how Denver navigates next season’s outcomes. If the Nuggets endure another disappointing playoff run after this season’s first-round exit, the sense of urgency from Jokic to re-sign could waver, inviting an even louder chorus of speculation about a potential departure. Analysts have cautioned that Jokic’s decision will be closely watched, with the Lakers and other suitors ready to pounce should Jokic explore his options. The landscape remains fluid, and while Wallace’s remarks offer reassurance, nothing is guaranteed in the NBA’s high-stakes free-agent era.