Jokić Commits to Nuggets, Waiting for Mega Extension

Denver coach David Adelman said the entire Nuggets roster — including Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and new addition Cam Johnson — will be available for the preseason opener against Minnesota as the club treats exhibition games as valuable reps. Jokić, a three-time NBA MVP and 2023 champion, reiterated "my plan is to be a Nugget forever," saying he declined a four‑year, $212 million offer this summer to wait until he is eligible for a larger four‑year, $293 million extension next year while remaining under his current contract through 2026–27. The team used the offseason to bolster depth around Jokić — trading Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson, re‑acquiring Bruce Brown, and adding Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valančiūnas — and expects DaRon Holmes back from injury. Denver removed the interim tag from Adelman and installed Ben Tenzer and Jonathan Wallace as the new basketball‑operations leaders to better build around Jokić. The club says the deeper rotation is intended to keep starters fresher in the playoffs and signals it will invest in pieces when Jokić signs his anticipated mega‑extension.