The Denver Nuggets are trying to secure their star’s future for the long haul, but there is some risk involved for Nikola Jokic.
Over the past decade, Jokic went from a raw second-round pick with potential to arguably the best player on the planet. After three MVPs and a championship, Jokic has already solidified himself as the greatest Nugget of all time.
As the Nuggets look to continue competing for a championship, Jokic will be running the show in Denver. However, his time with the Nuggets isn’t guaranteed, as his current contract gives him an opportunity to enter free agency in 2027, with a player option for the 2027-28 season.
With that in mind, there is no doubt that the Nuggets would love to get an extension done and ensure that the Serbian superstar isn’t going anywhere any time soon. However, as NBA insider Marc Stein recently noted, any potential Jokic extension couldn’t involve a no-trade clause, as extensions can’t include them.
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. If Jokić extends his current deal, he can’t secure a full NTC even though he obviously meets the service-time requirements. https://t.co/tUCnt3bbTH
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 17, 2025
Although it’s unfathomable to think that the Nuggets would ever move on from Jokic on their own accord, that’s also how the NBA world felt about Luka Doncic before the Dallas Mavericks suddenly shipped him to Los Angeles midseason. So, it’s possible that the three-time MVP might want to wait until 2027 to ink a deal as an unrestricted free agent to add that no-trade clause.
Although unthinkable for Denver to deal Jokic, Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke said in a postseason presser that there were potentially scenarios where he would have to contemplate trading No. 15.
