NBA Free Agency Day 1 is underway and the league has already witnessed the biggest contract in its history.
Serbian Nikola Jokicwho tried to demonstrate to the league that he belongs in the conversation of the best players in the NBA, just got a league best player contract with the Denver Nuggets.
According to Shams Charania, the two-time NBA MVP has agreed to a contract extension that will pay him $264 million over five years. For the fifth season, Jokic has a player option of $60 million.
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Nikola Jokic’s stats
Although it may come as a surprise to some players in the league, the 27-year-old deserves the contract and the gesture that comes with it. He has won the MVP title for two consecutive seasonsshowing notable plays in Denver.
During the 2020-21 season, Jokic averaged 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game, and last season he amplified those numbers at 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game.
Jokic’s role with the Nuggets
Not only did Jokic set up these exceptional figures over the last two yearsbut he also played a huge role keep the Nuggets on the map this past season. Missing two of the team’s best playersJamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr for almost all seasonJokic visibly coached Denver to the playoffsas the sixth team in the Western Conference.
Murray was recovering from a torn ACL he suffered the previous season and was unavailable throughout the season, while Porter Jr was only available for nine games. It’s a big job for a power forward play without the best of the team shooting guard and small forward.
Now Jokic officially enters the conversation of the top best players in the league as he continues to try to lead Denver to its all-time NBA title.
