Nikola Jokic has declined contract extensions with the Denver Nuggets each of the past two offseasons, but he intends to re-sign with the franchise next offseason. Jokic could have signed a four-year, $278 million contract extension this offseason, but he instead is waiting for a five-year, $360 million deal in 2027.

"I'm going to sign next year," said Jokic at Nuggets' media day. "If they want me."

While Jokic has widely been expected to remain with the Nuggets, his situation has been monitored by rival teams.

"I talked to Ben [Tenzer]. I talked to Jon [Wallace]. I talked to Josh [Kroenke]. They know my opinion, and I was being more than open about it. And hopefully, they trust me."

The Nuggets lost Peyton Watson on a sign-and-trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers as the roster becomes more expensive. Christian Braun begins Year 1 of his five-year, $125 million deal contract extension.

Jokic is playing in his age-31 season after his sixth consecutive top-2 finish in NBA regular season MVP voting.

The Nuggets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves.