NBA Rumors: Nikola Jokic could leave the Denver Nuggets and already has three suitors

Nikola Jokic could become one of the major protagonists of the NBA market, although for now it is only in the realm of NBA rumors. The Serbian center, one of the great stars of the competition, is back in conversations about possible trades after a challenging start to the season for the Denver Nuggets and reports that have raised questions about his future in Colorado.

Denver has started the 2026-27 season with a record of 5-4, far from the expectations typically generated by a team led by a player of Jokic's caliber. Furthermore, the Nuggets currently rank thirteenth in the NBA in offensive rating and twenty-first in defensive rating. These numbers have fueled questions about the franchise's ability to build a competitive project around its great star.

To this situation, we add information from Tim Kawakami, reported by HoopsHype, suggesting that Jokic’s renewal with Denver is not completely guaranteed. The journalist explained that the scenario remains open, although he considers it very likely that the player will stay with the franchise.

"I've been hearing this for a while. It's an open situation. It's an open situation. It’s very likely he’ll return to Denver, but it's an open situation. There’s nothing guaranteed about him signing a long extension with Denver," Kawakami stated.

A statement that, while not confirming any intention to leave the Nuggets, introduces an element of uncertainty around one of the most significant players in recent NBA history.

Oklahoma City Thunder, the most frequently mentioned destination for Jokic

Speculation has reached the point where trade simulations have placed Jokic as one of the major figures in this exercise. In fact, it is the first time the Serbian center ranks first among the most featured players in this tool.

One of the destinations that appears most often is the Oklahoma City Thunder. 16.8% of simulated trades involving Jokic send him to the Oklahoma franchise, which emerges as one of the teams most interested in acquiring a superstar of his caliber.

In these hypothetical trades, three names stand out: Chet Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Jalen Williams. All three are the Oklahoma City players who most frequently appear as potential trade pieces in the simulations, with percentages of 15.7%, 15.7%, and 15.5%, respectively.

However, there is an important detail that significantly reduces the credibility of this scenario. Holmgren and Williams are dealing with physical issues that will keep them off the court for an extended period. Therefore, it is hard to imagine that Denver would be particularly interested in parting ways with Jokic in exchange for players who would not be able to help the team immediately.

The most plausible explanation is that the fans of Oklahoma City are repeatedly using the tool to envision how the arrival of the three-time MVP to their team would look, especially considering the injury problems currently plaguing their roster.

Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers also appear in the betting

Oklahoma City is not the only franchise linked to the future of the Serbian center. Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers are also among the most frequently mentioned destinations in simulations.

The Florida team accounts for 14.5% of the hypothetical trades with Jokic as the centerpiece, while Philadelphia reaches 13.9%.

Two franchises that could see acquiring a player of such caliber as an opportunity to strengthen their competitive aspirations, although for now there is no information indicating real negotiations with Denver.

Can the Denver Nuggets really consider his departure?

The sports situation of the Nuggets deserves attention, especially since Jokic is having a statistically less dominant start to the season compared to previous campaigns.

After six consecutive seasons leading the NBA in VORP and BPM, the Serbian currently ranks sixth in both statistics. His VORP is 0.8, and his BPM stands at 8.0.

He has also experienced a decline in his differential impact: his swing rating remains extraordinary, with a figure of +10 points per 100 possessions, but it is his lowest number since the 2020-21 season.

These numbers open two possible interpretations: that Jokic is experiencing a regression after several years at an extraordinary level or that the configuration of the Denver roster is hindering his ability to maintain his usual dominance.

In any case, it is still too early to draw definitive conclusions. The next few weeks will reveal whether the Nuggets can improve their collective performance and if their star recovers the statistical levels that have marked his recent trajectory.

What does seem much more complicated is that Denver will ultimately accept a trade for Nikola Jokic. Unless something completely unexpected occurs, such as the player himself requesting to leave the franchise, it is extremely unlikely that the Nuggets will part with their main figure during this season or even in the coming years.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rumores NBA: Nikola Jokic podría abandonar Denver Nuggets y ya tiene tres pretendientes