Sun Aug 03 07:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Jokic Considered Early Retirement Before $300M Supermax Deal, Claims Former Teammate

**Denver, CO -** In a shocking revelation, former Denver Nuggets center DeMarcus Cousins claims that Nikola Jokic, the reigning NBA MVP, contemplated retirement instead of signing his massive $300 million supermax contract. Cousins shared the anecdote on the “Straight Game Podcast,” detailing a conversation he had with Jokic while both were with the Nuggets.

According to Cousins, Jokic expressed a desire to return to his native Serbia and spend his days with his horses, even suggesting he might retire before accepting the lucrative extension. “He was like, ‘You know, Cuz, I honestly think I might retire before this contract,'” Cousins recalled. He reportedly responded to Jokic, telling him to “Sign the contract and just get fat at worst. Don’t pass up on the $300 million. You can’t do that.”

Cousins also stated that Jokic seemingly has little passion for basketball itself. “If you ever get a chance to just hold a conversation with him, and he tells you a little bit about himself, he really doesn’t give a f**k about this s**t. He doesn’t care. At all. This is like his second or third favorite thing to do,” Cousins claimed. He added, “Most games, when he’s dropping these crazy stats, he probably doesn’t want to be there. And that’s the scary part about all of it.”

Despite his apparent lack of enthusiasm, Jokic continues to dominate the league. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged an impressive 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.8 assists, while shooting 57.6% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range.

The revelation raises concerns for the Nuggets organization, particularly given Jokic’s recent rejection of an extension offer. While the team has actively worked to bolster its roster and remain competitive, the prospect of Jokic leaving the NBA to pursue his other passions remains a lingering concern for ownership.

For now, Jokic is focused on representing Serbia in the upcoming EuroBasket tournament. The Nuggets hope their commitment to building a championship-caliber team will be enough to keep the superstar engaged in Denver for years to come.

*This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 31, 2025.*

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