Photo: Peter Baba

Nikola Jokic is approaching a major contract decision that could result in one of the richest deals in NBA history.

With the NBA’s rising salary cap and increasingly restrictive financial rules, star players are often incentivized to secure long-term guaranteed money as soon as possible rather than testing free agency.

Jokic is expected to become eligible for a new extension shortly after the 2026 NBA Finals, with the signing window opening on July 6.

Despite Denver’s disappointing first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jokic has consistently expressed a desire to remain with the Denver Nuggets for the rest of his career.

The structure of his next deal depends on his $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season.

If he declines the option, he could sign a four-year supermax extension worth $278 million through 2031. If he exercises the option, he could later add a three-year, $214 million extension to his current contract.

That second route would make Jokic the first player in NBA history to average more than $70 million per season.

Even the four-year supermax would carry an average salary of $69.5 million, surpassing the current record held by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

While re-signing Jokic is widely viewed as a formality, Denver faces a difficult challenge in building a championship-caliber roster around him.

The league’s second luxury-tax apron continues to limit the Nuggets’ flexibility in trades and free-agent signings, creating a complicated offseason for the franchise.

Nikola Jokic eyes $70M record in impending contract extensionhttps://t.co/AIhOkLYgMY