The Denver Nuggets will have Nikola Jokic covered in gold by the Nuggets. The bond linking him to Colorado has been extended until 2028 by the Serbian center. He will receive a total of $270 million, which is the largest contract ever signed for the most prestigious basketball competition in history. This is an astronomical deal that endorses, once more, the superstar status that the Balkan has achieved, undoubtedly one of the most decisive players of the North American league.
Jokic, who still had one year on his contract and must be paid 33 million dollars per annum, will remain the Nuggets standard bearer for five more years after signing for the most the franchise could offer. Number 41 in the 2014 draft. He averaged 27.1 points and 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per games during his last campaign.
Some of his stats allowed him to be crowned MVP again after winning the votes against the Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Cameroonian Joel Embiid. However, these were not enough for the Nuggets to reach the top of the ‘playoffs’ where they were beaten by injuries to Jamal Murray Jr. and Michael Porter Jr. by eventual Western Conference champions the Golden State Warriors.
No one was surprised that Jokic would be renewed by the Nuggets with a stream of millions. This will enable him to surpass the record Giannis Antetokounmpo set in 2020 when he signed a five year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. It will cost him 228 million euros.
Jokic, who is 27 years old and a four-time All-Star is the main beam of the project that seeks to win the ring Colorado has never been able. The Nuggets have been moving in the market already and have made the Balkan center the highest-paid player in all of history. In exchange for Monte Morris, Will Barton, they have also secured Kentavious CaldwellPope and IshSmith, two great complements to their team.
Mike Malone will train a large portion of the team’s options, but forward Michael Porter Jr., and most importantly, point guard Jamal Murray will be in a physical condition. These two stars, who have been plagued by injuries in recent times, will not be allowed to return. They can still trigger the actions of Nuggets at their normal level in recent times.
Nikola Jokic’s multimillion-dollar contract extension was not the only exciting move he made on the first night of NBA free agency. Ja Morant, who was one of the most popular players in the course and died with the seventh ring from the Warriors, signed a five year extension with Memphis Grizzlies. This will guarantee the South Carolina-born pointguard a minimum of 193million dollars. They could increase to 231 if the next course includes one of the All NBA quintets.
After signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Karl-Anthony Towns will receive 224 million over four years. In exchange for Devin Booker, the Phoenix Suns renewed him as shooting guard. The Washington Wizards will tie Bradley Beal for five seasons with a sum of 251 million.
Zion Williamson will also continue to be the pivot on which the future New Orleans Pelicans revolves. He has been signed a contract extension for five-years and 231 million dollars if he meets certain variables. This despite the fact that Zion Williamson, a player formed at Duke University, was unable to play last season because of physical problems. He has played only 85 games in his three seasons in the NBA.
Ricky Rubio in the Cleveland Cavaliers jersey. / David Maxwell (Eph)
Juancho Hernangomez has bad news. Juancho Hernangomez has been cut by the Utah Jazz. He will need to look for a new home and not be allowed to join the Salt Lake City franchise. After a hectic season in which he was unable to shine with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Madrid man joined the Jazz in February. He had a secondary role in Quin Snyder’s rotation.
Juancho Hernangomez would have been paid 7.3 million dollars if he continued with the Jazz. Now he is a free agent looking for a team to begin a new stage of the NBA. He was drafted in 15th and was selected by the Denver Nuggets. His best seasons were there before he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Feb 2020. He would go back to Europe if he didn’t get it. He has played for teams such as Real Madrid and Barca.
Ricky Rubio, for his part, will be returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers after being offered an 18.4 million-dollar contract by the Ohio team. El Masnou’s point guard, still recovering from a serious knee injury suffered December 29 against the New Orleans Pelicans. He signed in February for Indiana Pacers. He will not be arriving in time to start the season. This is not an issue for the Cavs, who have been betting on Rubio since his great role until his unfortunate fate with his knee. His averages of 13.1 and 4.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists in 34 games was a testament to his talent.