The boat has been rocked a bit within the Denver Nuggets organization just as a major decision looms for Nikola Jokic on his future with the franchise.
Longtime Nuggets GM Tim Connelly has made the move to be the president of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jokic, who has a close relationship with Connelly, is a free agent this offseason and has the option to sign a five-year, $254 million max contract to keep him in Denver for the rest of his prime.
Following their playoff exit a few weeks back, Nikola Jokic initially affirmed his desire to stay. But that was prior to the news of Tim Connelly's departure as the top decision-maker.
“If (the) offer’s on the table, of course, I’m gonna accept it because I really like the organization,” Jokic said after Denver’s Game 5 playoff loss to the Warriors. “I really like the people who work here.”
But despite the shift in top management, reports indicate that Nikola Jokic still has complete faith in the Nuggets as his team going forward, according to Mike Singer of The Denver Post.
Nuggets management has been in touch with Nikola Jokic in the days following Tim Connelly’s stunning departure, and the team’s franchise superstar is comfortable with the direction of the team, a league source told The Denver Post.
The two parties have spoken over the phone, allaying concerns over Connelly’s exit for Minnesota, which became official Monday.
Nikola Jokic has been a jaw-dropping talent on the basketball court and is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. But off the court, he's the furthest thing for problematic or demanding, choosing to defer roster decisions to the front office and focus on playing MVP-worthy basketball.
Nuggets fans can take comfort in the fact that, as things stand, Nikola Jokic isn't going anywhere.
Follow Us
Subscribe