Nikola Jokic: Greatness Will Be Forgotten If the Nuggets Don’t Change Course?

Nikola Jokic is one of the most transcendent players the NBA has ever seen. His brilliance is undeniable, his résumé already historic. But greatness in basketball is judged by a singular measuring stick: championships. If the Denver Nuggets continue their current trajectory — relying on internal growth and stability rather than bold moves — history may eventually overlook Jokic’s full impact.

The most unfortunate truth in sports is that talent alone doesn’t guarantee immortality.

Jokic Is Already a Consensus Top 15-20 Player

If Nikola Jokic retired today, he’d still walk away with a résumé many legends would envy:

• Three NBA MVP awards

• A Finals MVP

• One NBA Championship (2023)

• Multiple historic playoff runs

• Ridiculous career averages and advanced metrics

And perhaps most impressive of all: Jokic has done this without a single All-Star or All-Defensive teammate.

That last point cannot be stressed enough. While others in the all-time conversation benefited from Hall of Fame teammates — Jordan had Pippen, LeBron had Wade and Kyrie, Kobe had Shaq and Pau, Steph had KD and Klay — Jokic has largely carried the Nuggets himself, especially during crucial postseason stretches.

In 2021–22, Jokic dragged a roster decimated by injuries to a 48-win season. That team had no business making the playoffs, yet Jokic’s play elevated them beyond logic. It remains one of his most underrated accomplishments.

But the Top 10 Demands More Than One Ring

There’s a glass ceiling in the GOAT conversation — and it’s guarded by championship rings.

Right now, Nikola Jokic is not in the top 10 all-time. He’s close, but basketball’s Mount Rushmore demands more than just stats and MVPs. It demands sustained playoff excellence, and that usually means multiple championships.

Consider the names he’s currently trailing:

• Michael Jordan (6 titles)

• LeBron James (4 titles)

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6 titles)

• Magic Johnson (5 titles)

• Kobe Bryant (5 titles)

• Tim Duncan (5 titles)

• Shaquille O’Neal (4 titles)

• Larry Bird (3 titles)

• Stephen Curry (4 titles)

• Hakeem Olajuwon (2 titles, elite two-way dominance)

All of them, except perhaps Hakeem, have multiple rings and Hall of Fame teammates. Jokic only has one title, and just two trips past the second round in his career — the 2020 bubble run and the 2023 championship.

The Nuggets Are Betting on Continuity — and It Might Backfire

Nuggets ownership, particularly Josh Kroenke, has made their stance clear: They believe in the current group. They’re running it back with the same core — Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and David Adelman, who’s expected to take on more coaching responsibility.

It’s a conservative approach. And in a Western Conference that’s getting deeper and more aggressive — with the Timberwolves, Mavericks, Thunder, Lakers, and Warriors all reshuffling their decks — the Nuggets’ decision to stand pat could be a major gamble.

If Murray continues to battle injuries, or Porter Jr. remains inconsistent, the window could quietly close. The NBA doesn’t wait around for any superstar, even one as unique as Jokic.

Historical Precedent: Stars Who Fell Just Short

Jokic isn’t the only all-time great who risks being undervalued by history. There’s a long list of NBA legends with similar fates:

• Oscar Robertson: A triple-double machine with just one ring.

• Karl Malone: A two-time MVP but no championship, forever shadowed by Jordan.

• Jerry West: Iconic figure, but just one ring despite nine Finals appearances.

• Moses Malone: Three MVPs and a Finals MVP — eerily similar to Jokic’s current path — yet often left out of top-10 conversations.

• Kevin Durant: Two titles with Golden State, but the manner in which they were won (joining a 73-win team) has left his legacy debated rather than celebrated.

Even Giannis Antetokounmpo, who also has two MVPs and a championship, is facing similar questions. Since winning the title in 2021, the Milwaukee Bucks have struggled to return to elite form — a trajectory that’s beginning to mirror Denver’s post-2023 struggles.

One More Ring Changes Everything

If the Nuggets win another title, the narrative shifts completely.

Two rings would immediately place Jokic above many of the names currently ahead of him. His MVP count, statistical dominance, and influence on the modern game — redefining what a center can do — would become undeniable pillars of a top-10 case.

And if he somehow grabs a third title?

Then we start comparing him to Larry Bird. Maybe even Shaq. And if he keeps up this level of play for another five seasons — staying at or near MVP level — Nikola Jokic could even flirt with a top-five all-time spot.

That may sound outrageous now, but so did “NBA champion Jokic” just three years ago.

Why Jokic’s Legacy Needs Urgency from the Nuggets Front Office

This is the frustrating part: Jokic has done enough. The pressure now falls on Denver’s front office.

If the Kroenke family refuses to make bold moves or spend into the tax to upgrade the roster, they risk wasting Jokic’s prime. This isn’t just about comfort and culture anymore — it’s about capitalizing on an all-time great, something that’s only possible in short windows.

Let’s be clear: Jokic doesn’t need a superteam. But he does need healthy, consistent secondary stars and a roster that evolves with the times.

The Nuggets can’t afford to sit idle while teams like Boston, OKC, and Dallas get younger, deeper, and more dangerous.

What If the Nuggets Never Win Another Title?

If the Nuggets never win again with Jokic, he’ll be remembered — but not the way he should be.

He’ll be in the Moses Malone or Karl Malone tier: historic talents, statistical monsters, MVPs — but guys who never crossed into true royalty due to lack of rings.

Fans will debate if he was just a “regular-season genius.” Casuals will diminish his impact, forgetting the brilliance of his passing, the efficiency of his post game, and the unguardable synergy he had with teammates.

He won’t be forgotten. But he will be underappreciated. And for someone as gifted as Nikola Jokic, that’s tragic.

Conclusion: The Window Is Now — and History Is Watching

Nikola Jokic’s legacy is not just a basketball discussion — it’s a responsibility.

The Denver Nuggets owe it to him, and to the sport, to maximize the remainder of his prime. That means being aggressive, being flexible, and most importantly, being aware of the historical weight Jokic carries.

There’s still time to solidify his spot among the top 10 NBA players of all time. One more title does it. Two more puts him in rarified air.

But if the Nuggets get complacent? If they fade without retooling?

Then we may be telling our children about Nikola Jokic the way older fans talk about Oscar, Moses, or Karl — with reverence, but also regret.

And history shouldn’t forget Nikola Jokic’s greatness. But if the Nuggets continue down their current path, it just might.