Nikola Jokić hopes to play with the Nuggets 'forever'

Nikola Jokić hopes to stay with the Nuggets for his whole career.

• Complete Coverage:

2026 Free Agency

•

Free Agent Tracker

DENVER (AP) —

Nikola Jokić reiterated his hope Monday to remain with the

Denver Nuggets

for the rest of his career. His plan, though, is to hold off on signing his contract extension until next summer.

The

three-time Kia NBA MVP

spoke

to reporters

after helping Serbia to a win over Bosnia-Herzegovina during a FIBA World Cup qualifying game in Belgrade, Serbia.

Jokić finished with 20 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. He then reaffirmed his desire to remain in the Mile High City.

By waiting until next summer, Jokić can sign a five-year supermax contract that would be worth around $350 million.

The 31-year-old Jokić is coming off a season in which he made

All-NBA for an eighth time

. He averaged 27.7 points, a league-best 12.9 rebounds and a league-best 10.7 assists as he finished runner-up in the MVP voting to Oklahoma City’s

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

.

Jokić and the Nuggets

were eliminated

in the first round of the playoffs by Minnesota. After another early round exit, Jokić said: “I still want to be (with the) Nuggets forever.”

It’s been a quiet offseason so far for the Nuggets. A big decision facing the team is what to do about Peyton Watson, the high-flying guard/forward who will command a lucrative contract to remain in town.