The Nuggets team is stagnant? Nikola Jokic bluntly warned president Josh Kroenke!

The Denver Nuggets’ star center Nikola Jokic faces a pivotal moment in his career and his relationship with the franchise that has brought him immense success — including a 2023 NBA championship. Yet, with the Nuggets recently eliminated from the 2025 playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder, questions swirl around whether Jokic can remain loyal to Denver or if the current situation will push him to seek a new chapter elsewhere.

Jokic’s Loyalty vs. The Need for Change

After the heartbreaking playoff loss, Jokic was seen relaxing with a beer, hinting at a brief moment to unwind before addressing the next steps. Meanwhile, Nuggets’ president Josh Kroenke moved quickly to remove the “interim” tag from coach David Adelman, signaling continuity but raising eyebrows about whether this move truly addresses the core issues plaguing the team.

At 30 years old, Jokic is in the prime of his MVP-caliber career. Time is precious — neither Jokic nor the Nuggets can afford to waste another season stuck in stagnation.

“The pressure of a team with Jokic trying to win the title, we embrace it,” said Kroenke. But the real test is whether Jokic will turn up the pressure on management to make the moves necessary to contend for another championship.

The Contract Question: Extension or Power Play?

The obvious path of least resistance for Jokic would be to sign a massive contract extension — reports suggest a deal worth up to $212 million — cementing his place in Denver for years to come. Given his well-documented loyalty and love for the city, many expect him to take this route.

However, the opportunity exists for Jokic to wield a velvet hammer — politely declining the extension and demanding significant roster upgrades or coaching changes. This approach would push Nuggets management to invest more aggressively to build a true contender around him.

Coaching and Front Office Dynamics

Despite the recent coaching change — firing longtime head coach Michael Malone late in the 2024 season — Kroenke’s decision to promote David Adelman feels like a safe but uninspired move. Adelman energized the locker room but has yet to prove he can push the team deeper into the playoffs.

Jokic, while not one to meddle publicly, is the most influential voice within the organization. He has been visibly vocal during timeouts, but after the Game 7 loss in Oklahoma City, he downplayed his influence over coaching decisions, stating it was “above my paygrade.”

Still, insiders believe Jokic’s input was sought before Malone’s firing — indicating his voice carries weight behind the scenes. For Jokic to maximize his remaining prime years, he will likely need to take an even bigger role in personnel decisions moving forward.

The Bench Problem: A Major Hurdle to Championship Aspirations

A glaring issue for Denver in the 2025 playoffs was the lack of bench production. While the team’s starters held their own, the supporting cast failed to provide consistent contributions.

• In 2024, top reserves like Christian Braun, Reggie Jackson, and Justin Holiday posted a +34 plus-minus in 471 minutes.

• This spring, their top reserves — Russell Westbrook, Peyton Watson, and Julian Strawther — logged 600 minutes with a staggering -253 plus-minus.

Jokic himself highlighted the need for more depth and longer rotations:

“It seems like the teams that have longer benches are the ones who are winning: Indiana, OKC, Minnesota.”

Is Jokic’s Legacy at Risk Without a Championship?

Jokic’s triple-doubles and MVP awards have firmly established him as one of the greatest centers in NBA history. But for many fans and analysts, championship rings are the ultimate benchmark of legacy.

The Nuggets’ inability to build a strong supporting cast around him raises fears that Jokic may never fulfill his full potential as a champion if things don’t change.

The Future: Stay or Go?

Josh Kroenke claims to have heard Jokic’s concerns but has yet to provide a clear plan for upgrading the roster. With salary cap constraints and questionable internal solutions, Denver’s front office faces tough decisions.

If meaningful improvements don’t materialize, Jokic may have to consider exercising his power — either by delaying contract extension talks or potentially forcing a trade to a team better positioned to contend.

The Nuggets and their fans face a crossroads: keep building patiently around their superstar or risk losing him to a franchise with a clearer path to a title.

Could Jokic Team Up with Luka Doncic?

Speculation abounds about potential blockbuster trades or free agency moves involving Jokic and other superstars like Luka Doncic. The two have been known to share a close friendship, and fans dream of them teaming up either in Denver or Los Angeles to form a new NBA powerhouse.

Final Thoughts

Nikola Jokic stands at a career-defining moment. With the Nuggets caught in a cycle of playoff disappointment and limited bench production, the question remains: will Jokic wiggle free from Denver’s corner and demand the changes necessary to become a repeat champion — or will he quietly accept the status quo?

For Denver to capitalize on Jokic’s prime, the franchise must listen, adapt, and act boldly. Otherwise, the Nuggets risk losing the MVP and the future of their franchise.