By earning MVP honors, Jokic has qualified for a supermax extension, which would be the largest in NBA history. However, because Jokic has only six years of service, the center will need to wait until the 2022 offseason to sign the five-year $241 million extension. The rules of the supermax stipulate that only players with seven or eight years of service are eligible to sign the extension. Here is a breakdown of what the max extension projects to be based on a $121.5 million salary cap. 2023-24: $42.6M 2024-25: $44.9M 2025-26: $48.2M 2026-27: $51.5M 2027-28: $54.8M
NBA Rumor: Nikola Jokic Extension?
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Nikola Jokic eligible for super max extension after winning MVP
Bobby Marks: By virtue of winning MVP, Nikola Jokic is now eligible to sign a super max contract in either the 2022 or 2023 offseason. Jokic is not eligible this offseason because he is 1 year shy of the years of service criteria of 7.
Bobby Marks: The Nikola Jokic super max extension in 2022 is projected to be the largest contract in NBA history. *2023-24: $42.6M 2024-25: $44.9M 2025-26: $48.2M 2026-27: $51.5M 2027-28: $54.8M Total of $241M *Based on a salary cap of $121.5M
Chris Dempsey: Today is the day the Nikola Jokic contract saga officially gets rolling. This is the deadline day for his team option to be declined, which allows the #Nuggets to extending a qualifying offer & make him a restricted free agent. Then extension talks will take over.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic won’t join the Serbian national team in the June-July World Cup Qualifiers games because of his contract situation. Jokic revealed that Serbia head coach Sasa Djordjevic had already excluded him from his roster plans for the above reason. After all, the Nuggets could make Serbian center an unrestricted agent this summer and potentially offer him a max contract extension. “I talked to Sale [Sasa Djordjevic]. He told me he wasn’t planning on me. He knows what my contract situation is, so he doesn’t make his plans with me,” Jokic said to journalists during the Serbian League game between his former team Mega Leks and Partizan Belgrade, per Sport Klub. “We will see for the deal. When it comes to the new contract, nothing will be known until July 7.”
Nick Kosmider: Nikola Jokic’s agent says picking up the player’s option and letting Jokic become an unrestricted free agent in 2019 would be an unfavorable scenario for Nuggets. This is not a warning. It’s common sense. Denver won’t pass up the chance to lock Jokic up. Writing is on the wall.
Chris Dempsey: Word out of #Nuggets all along was they expected to get this deal done in Oct. Now, should be quiet unti next summer’s biggie: Nikola Jokic
August 2, 2021 | 7:49 am EDT Update
Dwight Howard lkely returning to Lakers?
There is a strong possibility that Howard returns for a third go-around with the Lakers. Howard won a title with the Lakers in 2020, but he bolted to the 76ers last season. Now, there appears to be interest on both sides to have Howard back for his physical and defensive play. Howard, 35, averaged 7.0 points and 8.4 rebounds in 17.3 minutes last season in Philadelphia, his 17th in the NBA.
Rob Schaefer: Zach LaVine on what he’s conveyed to Bulls about a potential extension. If Bulls decide to take route to cap space, pursuing upgrades through free agency or renegotiating + extending LaVine’s current contract are two options on table.
Barry Jackson: ESPN reports tonight that New Orleans and Dallas – two Lowry suitors – have begun to look elsewhere for point guards. The Dragic/Achiuwa package should get this done for Lowry barring any late issues; Achiuwa hasn’t yet been informed because talks can’t begin until 6 p.m. Monday.
Donatas Urbonas: Ignas Brazdeikis will play for the Orlando Magic in the NBA Summer League, per sources. Brazdeikis averaged 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2 assists in 8 NBA games with Orlando last season.
Rob Schaefer: Zach LaVine on keeping up with Bulls’ free agency from Tokyo: “I should have a good idea what’s going on. I take that very serious, keep up to date with what’s going on back home, but obviously still get my rest cause we got a game tomorrow. One way or another I’ll find out.”
August 2, 2021 | 1:19 am EDT Update
Kawhi Leonard will listen to other teams
“It looks like [Kawhi] is expected to re-sign with the Clippers, but sources informed me that he will listen to other teams.” @ChrisBHaynes on Kawhi Leonard’s free agency
A league source said the chatter among league executives is that Holmes is likely staying in Sacramento, but as last week’s failed trade with the Lakers showed, things can change quickly in the NBA.
