Nikola Jokić, unfortunately, isn't planning on leaving the Nuggets anytime soon (as in ever). Los Angeles Lakers fans can officially stop dreaming that he'll either somehow end up in purple and gold alongside his good friend Luka or that he'll leave for the East. As a guest on the X's and O's CHAT Serbian podcast, he said he doesn't imagine himself departing Denver.
"I wouldn't like to imagine that. Even if we never win anything else after this, an organic title, it means more to me than anything... I have really found peace here. My two kids were born here. Everyone's here. Peace, home, I found my life here. And I like life here. I don't feel the need, I don't have the urge to. We built something here, together as a team."
Jokić didn't sign an extension with the Nuggets before the season, but that wasn't because he intends to depart in 2027, when he could become an unrestricted free agent. He'll be eligible to sign around $80 million more this summer than if he had re-signed last offseason. You can understand why he chose to wait.
Although the 31-year-old hasn't given any indication that he would ever consider leaving Denver, opposing teams are still holding onto hope that the team's season will implode, leading him to at least think about it. Based on his latest comments, though, that won't happen.
Nikola Jokic says he doesn't want to leave the Nuggets
Los Angeles changed its approach over the past year from going all-in on trying to win another title with LeBron James, to prioritizing financial flexibility to build around Dončić. Per Bobby Marks, the Lakers are projected to have around $51 million in cap space this summer. In theory, an early playoff exit from the Nuggets could lead Jokić to ask out, putting LA in the running for him.
You can keep holding onto the very slim chance that will happen, if you'd like. The consolation is that if Jokić did want out, you can bet he'd love to play with Luka (and annoy him daily). At least there's that.
As Luka once thought, Jokić expects to be with one team for the entirety of his NBA career. He values the life he has created in Denver and appreciates all that has happened over the past decade for him and his family, both on and off the court.
The Nuggets are no longer the Lakers' biggest obstacle to winning a title (though they are still very much an issue), as the Thunder and Spurs are both young and dominant. But as long as Jokić is in Denver, it will be hard to get past them in the playoffs. Of course, we can't forget about Jamal Murray, either. For whatever reason, he seems to take playing LA personally. That duo finds joy in terrorizing LA.
You know what? Maybe there is a reality where Jokić teams up with Luka in Hollywood — it's just not this one.