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Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic is set to commit to the Denver Nuggets with a supermax extension, “if the offer is on the table”.
Jokic, who could be named the league’s best player for a second season running, saw his season ended on Wednesday with the Nuggets’ 4-1 first-round playoff exit to the Golden State Warriors.
The center only has a single year remaining on his existing deal but appears open to extending his stay in Denver.
According to ESPN, Jokic is eligible for a five-year, $254million deal.
“I would like it, of course,” he said after Game 5 against the Warriors. “But it’s not something that I’m deciding.
“I think if the offer is on the table, of course I’m going to accept it, because I really like the organisation, I really like the people who work here.
“I’m in a really good relationship with everybody from owner to equipment manager.”
Jokic described a second potential MVP win as “a great thing, of course” but added: “If I don’t get it, I’m not going to die.”
Individual recognition has not been the issue for the Serbian on the Nuggets, with the team instead falling short in the playoffs – albeit this year chiefly due to injury issues.
Jamal Murray missed the entire season following an ACL tear prior to the 2020-21 postseason, while Michael Porter Jr. was limited to nine games.
“We don’t know what we can do because we were not healthy,” Jokic said. “Do we have some talent? Yes. Can we do something? Probably.”
