The Nuggets provided Nikola Jokic with the additions he sought during the offseason, enhancing their depth similar to what the Oklahoma City Thunder achieved during their playoff run last year that ended in an NBA championship.

The anticipated benefit extends beyond a more robust rotation for the postseason; it also includes a substantial contract extension for the star next summer.

Jokic declined a four-year, $212 million offer this summer in favor of a potential $293 million extension next year.

“I mean, I don’t think about it,” Jokic stated. “I think those contract extensions come as a reward, as something that is natural to the sport. Especially in today’s NBA how you see how the salary cap is growing and everything.”

While entering his third season under a five-year, $276 million supermax deal, Jokic has not confirmed his plans regarding the potential 2026 extension but emphasized, “My plan is to be a Nugget forever.”

He expressed enthusiasm for the roster changes following the offseason, including the removal of the interim label from coach David Adelman, the appointment of GMs Ben Tenzer and Jonathan Wallace, and the inclusion of several veterans after trading Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets.

“I mean, they definitely changed the team,” Jokic commented.

Two seasons post their inaugural NBA title, the Nuggets added sharpshooting wing Cam Johnson in the Porter deal, which also liberated cap space to rectify several roster weaknesses.

They welcomed back Bruce Brown, pivotal during their championship run, who left as a free agent before returning. Additionally, veteran guard Tim Hardaway Jr. and center Jonas Valanciunas were acquired to support Jokic’s play, potentially partnering with him on the court.

The Nuggets also anticipate the return of first-round pick DaRon Holmes, who is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon that sidetracked his rookie year.

“Bruce is back. We won with him. Need to save his career again,” Jokic joked. “We have Cam and Jonas — we have a bunch of new guys. We have Holmes healthy. We’ll see. It’s a new energy, new beginning for us. Hopefully, we can do something.”

Brown shared his eagerness to return to Denver after being traded, stating, “Indy was great for me when I was there but it was only three months. And once I got to Toronto we were on two different roads, right? They were rebuilding … and I was past that time. So, I think right away, as soon as I got there, I wanted to come back.”