Denver Nuggets CEO Josh Kroenke has delivered a crystal-clear directive that is already reshaping the franchise’s entire future: Nikola Jokic is untouchable, and virtually everyone else is available.
In remarks that immediately sent ripples through the organization and the NBA landscape, Kroenke emphasized that while the Nuggets remain open to roster changes this offseason, there is one non-negotiable exception.
“Every option will be on the table. Of course, except for trading Nikola [Jokic]. I need to make that clear because my words were twisted in a pretty interesting way last summer,” Kroenke stated. “But yes, I think everything can happen except touching Nikola. I think we need to consider keeping the current roster as a possibility as well.”
The message is both reassuring and disruptive. By placing Jokic at the absolute center of Denver’s long-term plans, the front office has effectively declared the two-time MVP and reigning superstar off-limits under any circumstances. At the same time, the explicit openness to altering the supporting cast has created immediate uncertainty for the rest of the rotation heading into a pivotal summer.
Jokic, fresh off another elite campaign in which he averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game — recording yet another season of triple-double averages — remains the undisputed foundation of the Nuggets. His continued dominance reinforces why Denver is willing to build its entire future around the Serbian center.
That commitment is about to become extremely expensive. Jokic is eligible for a massive four-year supermax extension worth more than $290 million this offseason, a deal most analysts expect to be finalized soon. Once signed, the contract will not only make Jokic one of the highest-paid athletes in sports history but will also consume a massive portion of Denver’s salary cap for the next decade.
The looming financial reality transforms roster construction into a high-stakes balancing act. With such a significant percentage of the cap tied to a single player, the Nuggets must find creative, cost-effective ways to surround Jokic with complementary talent capable of contending for championships. Kroenke’s comments strongly suggest the current supporting cast may look substantially different by opening night next season.
While the Nuggets pushed deep into a demanding campaign anchored by Jokic’s brilliance, the organization now faces tough decisions. Veterans, role players, and potential trade assets across the roster are now effectively in play as Denver seeks the ideal supporting structure to maximize their franchise cornerstone.