Jokic to Aurora: "If They Want Me," I’m Staying Put
Let’s be honest: if Nikola Jokić played for the Aurora Central Vikings, we’d already have a statue on the Municipal Center lawn. Since he runs the show for the Denver Nuggets instead, we’ll settle for the next best thing—knowing the three-time MVP has zero plans to leave the Mile High City.
At Media Day on Monday, the Joker dropped the quote of the offseason with a shrug and a smirk: "If they want me," he said regarding a long-term extension next summer, "I’ll sign it."
Translation: The best basketball player on the planet wants to keep his locker at Ball Arena indefinitely.
For those of us commuting down I-225 or catching the R Line to games, this is the security blanket we needed. After the rollercoaster of the 2023 title run and last spring’s early exit, hearing the franchise cornerstone—arguably the greatest passing big man ever—treat a max extension like a formality is the ultimate peace of mind.
General Manager Calvin Booth has made it clear: the blank check is ready. The only "negotiation" seems to be Jokić making sure the front office doesn't overthink it. He wants to win, he wants to be home for his horses in Serbia by July, and he wants the Nuggets to handle the paperwork so he can get back to dominating the paint.
No drama. No trade demands. Just a guy from Sombor who found his basketball home 6,000 miles away in Denver.
So, Aurora, keep those #15 jerseys handy. Whether you're watching from a patio on Southlands or the couch near Buckley, the Joker isn't going anywhere. And honestly? That’s the only headline that matters.
