The Denver Nuggets gave Nikola Jokić what he wanted this offseason: depth. After Oklahoma City’s deep rotation helped them survive a seven-game second-round clash with Denver en route to the 2025 NBA championship, the Nuggets reshaped their roster to match that standard.
The changes weren’t only about fresher legs come playoff time. They also set the stage for Jokić’s next monumental contract. The three-time MVP bypassed a four-year, $212 million extension this summer because waiting until 2026 allows him to sign the same four-year deal for $293 million.
“I mean, I don’t think about it,” Jokić said at media day. “I think those contract extensions come as a reward, as something that is natural to the sport. Especially in today’s NBA how you see how the salary cap is growing and everything. My plan is to be a Nugget forever.”
Denver’s Offseason Overhaul Around Nikola Jokić
The Nuggets head into the 2025–26 season with a revamped roster, new leadership, and elevated expectations to compete for another Western Conference title, driven by their core of Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon. Promising young players Christian Braun and Peyton Watson are expected to log bigger minutes, while Julian Strawther has been singled out as a potential breakout shooter.
The offseason began with sweeping leadership changes. Denver fired longtime head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth, promoting David Adelman to head coach and hiring Ben Tenzer and Jonathan Wallace to oversee the front office. The transition marks a major cultural reset, but early training camp feedback suggests veterans are setting the tone for continuity.
“My plan is to be a Nugget forever.” 🫡
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) September 29, 2025
– Nikola Jokic on not signing an extension this summer pic.twitter.com/kFtWgGyHO6
Jonas Valančiūnas Adds Size and Depth Behind Jokíc
The roster shakeup was equally significant. Michael Porter Jr. was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that brought back sharpshooting wing Cam Johnson, whose perimeter defense and spot-up shooting are expected to slot cleanly into Denver’s system. Jonas Valančiūnas arrived to back up Jokić and provide matchup flexibility in bigger lineups. Bruce Brown, who was instrumental in Denver’s 2023 title run, returned after stints in Indiana and Toronto, while Tim Hardaway Jr. adds more shooting depth.
“I mean, they definitely changed the team,” Jokić said. “Bruce is back. We won with him. Need to save his career again. We have Cam and Jonas — we have a bunch of new guys. We have Holmes healthy. We’ll see. It’s a new energy, new beginning for us. Hopefully, we can do something.”
Brown admitted he regretted leaving Denver after the championship parade.
“Indy was great for me when I was there but it was only three months,” he said. “And once I got to Toronto we were on two different roads, right? They were rebuilding … and I was past that time. So, I think right away, as soon as I got there, I wanted to come back.”
“He’s qualified to be my friend” – Nikola pic.twitter.com/w0DbSvQ1Rj
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) September 29, 2025
Eleven Years in Denver
This season marks Jokić’s 11th in the league, all with Denver, a stretch that has seen him rise from a second-round draft pick to a three-time MVP and centerpiece of the franchise’s first championship.
“It definitely went fast,” he said. “I remember coming here the first day and looking at the guys dunking and playing extremely fast in that moment for me. But it seems like I figured out the way to stay in the league for such a long time. It’s a long period of time.”
Asked about what Denver must carry forward from past success, Jokić pointed to style and communication as critical traits.
“What we need to keep is the playing style. I think we have a unique playing style, just sharing the ball,” he explained. “Last year we averaged like 30 assists per game, something like that. So I think it’s good when we play that way. It’s hard to guard. Probably the thing we need to do more is talking, communication, do one more effort, you know, just do the small things.”
“I was playing professional basketball since I was 16.”
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 28, 2019
Nikola Jokic: The Origin Story
pic.twitter.com/T0YOI31Lhp
Nikola Jokić’s Commitment and Leadership
Jokić, who averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists in 70 games last season while making his seventh All-Star appearance, also reflected on taking on a greater leadership role.
“I didn’t like that because I’m not a guy who talks a lot, but I’m going to try my best,” he said. “Maybe that’s something new that I can improve this year, to be a better leader, better vet, and to help the guys out even a little bit more off the court.”
Already a three-time MVP (2021, 2022, 2024), Jokić led Denver to its first championship in franchise history in 2023, earning Finals MVP honors. He has shattered records along the way: the fastest to 15,000 points, 7,500 rebounds and 5,000 assists; the first to produce a season of 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists; and the Nuggets’ all-time leader in double-doubles and triple-doubles.
Jokić acknowledged that international play has added to his growth, giving him a different perspective on the game.
“I think it helps, you know, to play different style of basketball, different teammates, different rules,” Jokić said. “You can learn even from every player that I play against in European Championship. So, I think it definitely helps.”
He is also not shying away from his newfound status as one of the league’s longest-tenured stars.
“Hopefully, I’m still on the same level,” he said about entering the new season. “We will see in 24 days.”
For Denver, the mission is clear: maximize Nikola Jokić’s prime and prove that this roster shuffle can bring another championship to Colorado.
