$70 Million a Year! Is 30-Year-Old Nikola Jokić Worth It?

Nikola Jokić, the reigning NBA Finals MVP, is undoubtedly one of the most unique and impactful players the league has ever seen. The 30-year-old Denver Nuggets center, whose name has become synonymous with all-around basketball excellence, is now approaching the critical juncture of his career. This summer, Jokić is eligible to sign a three-year, $212 million maximum extension, making him one of the highest-paid players in NBA history. The decision to offer Jokić this massive deal, one that would pay him an average of $70 million annually, is not just about his present abilities but his future impact as well.

This move has been anticipated ever since Jokić’s incredible performance in the 2023 NBA Finals, where he led the Nuggets to their first-ever championship. With the upcoming extension looming, the question on everyone’s mind is whether Jokić, at the age of 30, is worth such a massive contract. To answer that question, let’s take a deeper look into his current level of play, his career trajectory, and what his potential extension would mean for the Nuggets moving forward.

The Case for Jokić: An Unstoppable Force

Jokić’s numbers this season are staggering. After leading the Nuggets to a championship last season, the 30-year-old center is having what many consider the best year of his career. As of now, he’s averaging 29.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 10.3 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. His stats aren’t just elite—they’re historic. He ranks third in scoring, second in rebounds, assists, and steals, with career highs across the board. The efficiency with which he plays is unparalleled: Jokić is shooting 57.5% from the field, 41.4% from three, and 80.2% from the free-throw line. His true shooting percentage stands at an incredible 66.2%, cementing him as one of the most efficient offensive players in NBA history.

But numbers only tell part of the story. What truly separates Jokić from others is his versatility. At 6-foot-11, he plays like a guard, able to pass, shoot, and dribble with precision and creativity. His vision on the court is unlike that of any other center in the league, and his ability to run the offense as the primary playmaker for the Nuggets is unmatched. Whether it’s orchestrating the offense, scoring in the post, or pulling off ridiculous passes from the top of the key, Jokić does it all. His game is an embodiment of efficiency and control.

In a recent game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Jokić showed exactly why he is still the league’s best player. Playing 42 minutes, Jokić recorded a triple-double with 26 points, 16 rebounds, 13 assists, and 2 steals. Even more impressive, he did this in a must-win situation for the Nuggets, scoring 10 points and adding 4 rebounds and 4 assists in the fourth quarter to lead Denver to a 117-109 victory. His performance in crunch time, where he either scored or assisted on 18 of the team’s 25 points, was a testament to his value and ability to take over games when needed. His +11 plus-minus for the game was indicative of his dominance on both ends of the floor.

This season, Jokić is on track to secure his third consecutive All-NBA First Team selection and further solidify his place in NBA history. His Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 32.1 is the best in the league and ranks second in NBA history. When Jokić is on the floor, the Nuggets are an entirely different team. His on/off rating of +18.8 highlights just how much of an impact he has when he plays. Simply put, there is no other player in the NBA who offers what Jokić does on a nightly basis.

The Case Against Jokić’s $70 Million

Despite his remarkable talent, the question remains: Is a 30-year-old Jokić worth a three-year, $212 million extension? To answer that, we need to consider a few factors. First, the financial commitment is staggering. If the Nuggets sign Jokić to this max extension, they would essentially be locking in a player for $70 million per year for the next three seasons. While Jokić is undoubtedly the best player in the league right now, the age factor must be considered. Most players, even those at the top of their game, begin to decline after the age of 30. Historically, players in their early 30s experience a drop in performance, especially when it comes to athleticism and durability. Jokić’s game, which is more about skill than physicality, may allow him to age better than most, but the risk remains.

Furthermore, while Jokić has been phenomenal for the Nuggets, the question of whether he can continue to carry the team deep into the playoffs remains unanswered. Last season’s championship was a culmination of years of development, but the Nuggets still faced questions about their ability to succeed consistently in the postseason. The team’s supporting cast has been solid, but Jokić’s ability to lead them to multiple championships is far from guaranteed. With the NBA becoming more competitive each year, it’s no longer enough to just have a superstar—teams need to build around that player with elite talent and depth.

Another concern is the cap implications. Offering Jokić such a massive contract could severely limit the Nuggets’ ability to build a championship-contending roster around him. The salary cap in the NBA is not infinite, and by committing such a large portion of it to one player, the Nuggets risk losing flexibility in the future. If Jokić’s performance dips or injuries become a factor, the team could be left with a significant financial burden without the return on investment they expect.

The Nuggets’ Dilemma: To Extend or Not?

Despite these concerns, the Nuggets find themselves in a difficult position. Jokić is not just the face of the franchise—he is the franchise. Denver has not had a player of Jokić’s caliber in its history, and they know that the likelihood of finding another player as talented as him is slim to none. Even if the Nuggets could build a team around a potential high draft pick or sign another superstar, they would be hard-pressed to replicate what Jokić provides. He is a generational talent, and losing him would be catastrophic for a franchise that has invested so much into building around him.

Moreover, Jokić’s personality and approach to the game suggest that he is unlikely to demand a trade or leave Denver anytime soon. He’s not a player who craves the limelight or the media attention; he’s someone who values stability and family. Having spent the majority of his career in Denver, it’s clear that Jokić feels at home with the Nuggets. The city and team have embraced him, and he has found success with them, including winning the MVP twice and the NBA Finals MVP. The prospect of leaving that situation, especially in pursuit of the glitz and glamour of a larger market, seems unlikely.

For the Nuggets, the decision to extend Jokić comes down to one fundamental question: Can they continue to build around him to stay competitive in the future? If they can make the necessary moves to surround him with elite talent and maintain flexibility under the salary cap, then offering him a $70 million-a-year extension is a no-brainer. After all, there’s no price too high for a player of Jokić’s caliber. But if the team fails to make those moves, and Jokić’s performance begins to decline, they could find themselves in a situation where they are locked into a contract that limits their future success.

Final Thoughts: Jokić's Legacy and the Nuggets' Future

Ultimately, Jokić’s value is not just in his ability to score and produce stats—his worth lies in his ability to elevate his teammates and lead a franchise to greatness. The Nuggets have already experienced a taste of that success, and they know that with Jokić, they have a chance to compete for championships every season. His leadership, basketball IQ, and unselfishness are qualities that are difficult to replace, and the idea of losing him to free agency or a trade is a nightmare scenario for Denver.

In the end, paying Jokić $70 million a year is not just about compensating him for his past accomplishments—it’s about securing the future of the franchise and keeping one of the greatest players in NBA history in Denver. If the Nuggets can build a championship-contending team around him, then the investment will be more than worth it. If not, they may find themselves facing a difficult reality, one where a superstar’s legacy is constrained by the team’s inability to maximize its potential. Either way, Jokić’s place in NBA history is already solidified—now it’s up to the Nuggets to ensure they don’t waste this unique opportunity.