Nikola Jokic’s agent, Misko Raznatovic, recently gave an interview with Blic Sport and didn’t mince words on the subject of his client’s potential extension with the Denver Nuggets: The 23-year-old better get one, or else.
Okay, he didn’t really say that. But he might as well have. Here’s the translated version of his comments courtesy of Denver Stiffs’ Adam Mares:
“According to NBA rules there are no negotiations before July, so until then there are only speculations. Like every agent, I hope the maximum because Nikola certainly deserves it, both in terms of the (dollar amount) and length of the contract. Of course, there is also the possibility that Nikola will not negotiate the change of contract, to stay for the fourth year with a small contract, and then next year be completely free in the choice of a new environment. This is certainly the most unfavorable possible scenario for the Nuggets.”
“The next summer is completely free, but according to Denver’s rules it can offer a little more and a year more than others. But it does not bind him.”
Raznatovic, as Mares notes, is known for his aggressive tactics. And while this falls well short of being a thinly veiled threat or anything like that, his words should matter.
Denver has a team option on Jokic for next season. If they exercise it, he’ll make $1.6 million and enter unrestricted free agency in 2019, with a teensy-tiny cap hold. That sounds well and good if they’re looking to make a splash in free agency; Paul Millsap (team option), Darrell Arther (player option this summer), Kenneth Faried and Wilson Chandler (player option this summer) can all come off the books by then. The Nuggets could do some interesting things if they delay a new deal for Jokic.
But unrestricted free agency isn’t something they can control. Although they’ll be able to offer more years (five) and raises (eight percent) than any other team, Jokic could be turned off by the fact they didn’t pay him now.
Declining his team option for next season makes him a restricted free agent, giving the Nuggets the ability to match any offer he receives this summer. Going that route is the safer play, unless they’ve reached a mutual understanding with the behemoth himself—which, based on his agent’s comments, they have not.
