Nikola Jokic to sign supermax extension with Denver despite GM's departure / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AFP - Scanpix Credit AFP - Scanpix

Despite the fact that Denver Nuggets GM Tim Connelly decided to move from Denver to Minnesota on a five-year, $40 million deal, the future of Nikola Jokic seems to be inextricably linked with the franchise.

Nikola Jokic

Team:Denver NuggetsPosition:C, PFAge:27Height:208 cmWeight:111 kgBirth place:SerbiaProfileNewsStatistics

According to The Athletic, the two-time MVP, who has publicly stated his desire to sign the extension late last month, has reiterated his long-term commitment to the franchise this week. Hence, it's more than likely that the 27-yer-old Serbian superstar will put his signature on the five-year, $260 million supermax deal in July.

When asked about the extension after the Nuggets’ season ended against Golden State in the first round of the playoffs on April 27, Jokic made it clear he had no plans of going anywhere.

"I would like it, of course, but it’s not something that I'm deciding," he said about the extension. "I think of course if it's offered, of course I’m going to accept it because I really like the organization and really like the people who work here.

I'm in (a) really good relationship with people who work here, and a good relationship with everybody from the owner to, let’s say, the equipment manager," he continued. "I think we have something that we’re building. It actually feels really good."

Per the same report, Jokic’s brothers, Strahinja and Nemanja, met with Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth and assistant GM Tommy Balcetis in recent days to discuss the team's future. For the new front office, it was important to spend time with the Jokic family in person in the aftermath of Connelly’s departure.

Booth and coach Michael Malone have also spoken to Nikola Jokic over the phone, as the Serbian center is spending some time off in his home country.

Booth, the 46-year-old who played in the NBA from 1999 to 2009, was a New Orleans scout for the 2012-13 campaign before spending four seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves as Director of Player Personnel and Director of Pro Personnel.

He joined the Nuggets as an assistant general manager in the summer of 2017 and eventually became Connelly’s right-hand man after former Nuggets assistant general manager Arturas Karnisovas was hired as the Chicago Bulls' executive vice president of basketball operations in April 2020.

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