Jokić upbeat about revamped Nuggets and long-term future in Denver
Nikola Jokić says he’s thrilled with the Denver Nuggets’ offseason overhaul and feels optimistic about the team’s future. Denver added depth after falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a seven-game second-round series last spring. The roster shake-up also included new veterans, coach David Adelman shedding his interim title, and a front-office switch to Ben Tenzer and Jonathan Wallace after trading Michael Porter Jr. to the Nets. “I mean, they definitely changed the team,” Jokić said. The Nuggets’ improved rotation is designed to keep players fresh for another deep playoff push. Jokić also stands to benefit next summer, when he can sign a four-year, $293 million extension — nearly $80 million more than he could have signed for this year. “I mean, I don’t think about it,” Jokić said. “Those contract extensions come as a reward… especially in today’s NBA with how the salary cap is growing.” Jokić, now in the third season of his five-year, $276 million supermax deal, hinted at his long-term commitment: “My plan is to be a Nugget forever.”
