Kickin’ It with Kiz: The one person on planet who could lure Nikola Jokic away from the Nuggets

By Mark Kiszla July 12, 2025 | updated 2 weeks ago

Nuggets Thunder Basketball — Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic walks up court during the first half of Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Kyle Phillips

Nikola Jokic is a Nugget for life. Declining an extension with Denver this summer is all about an extra $80 million in his contract by waiting a year to sign a new contract.

– Geoff, only here for fun

Kiz: Jokic is built differently than LeBron James or Kevin Durant. Chasing the greener grass or the biggest bag of cash? Joker’s not about that action. He and Denver are a great fit because the bright lights don’t dazzle Jokic. What he cherishes most about basketball is the brotherhood of the game. But that did get me thinking when news broke last week that the Lakers are ready to thank King James for the memories and build their future around Luka Doncic. Hmm, who is Luka’s basketball brother from another mother? A fondness for Doncic might be the only thing that could tempt Jokic to leave the Nuggets. If they ever joined forces, Luka and Jokic would steamroll the NBA until their wheels fell off.

Jokic turning down a chance to sign that three-year, $200 million extension? It’s a non-story.

– Zachary, Mile High maniac

Kiz: Let me make a fearless prediction. If Jokic plays every second of his NBA career for the Nuggets, he will be forever extolled as the most beloved and favorite son in Colorado sports history, supplanting a dude named John Elway. Now that would truly be a legendary feat.

My fearless prediction for quarterback Bo Nix and the Broncos in the upcoming NFL season: Super Bowl victory.

– Bruce, boredom = burnout

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Kiz: Broncomania is back! And we’re here for it. Patience is overrated when it comes to NFL football. Especially in this dusty old cowtown. Nix has the right stuff to be an orange and true-blue QB. He gets what the job means to the local peeps in a way Russell Wilson could never understand. So, while we hate to seed storm clouds over Nix’s parade, that is kinda the job of the knuckleheads here at Kickin’ It Headquarters. Defensive coordinators around the league ain’t stupid. A full season of studying a rookie quarterback’s videotape is where sophomore slumps are born.

I think Nix will be solid this season, as will the Broncos. Don’t know if he will get a Pro Bowl nod, though.

– D.G., Denver

Kiz: That the Broncos double-downed on their top flight defense in both free agency and the draft tells you everything. In pro sports, always follow the money. Denver added safety Talanoa Hufanga, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and cornerback Jahdae Barron because deep in their hearts, coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton know it would be foolish to lean too hard on Nix in a neighborhood where Patrick Mahomes is the boss. But it is possible to make a Super Bowl run with a championship-caliber defense and a QB more dangerous with his legs than his arm. If memory serves, that’s how the Seattle Seahawks took home the Vince Lombardi Trophy by trouncing a Hall of Famer named Peyton Manning.

And today’s parting shot suggests there should be more cheerleading and less reporting in sports journalism.

It’s a game. It’s fun. Let’s not take it so seriously. Sports reporters aren’t covering presidential elections. It’s entertainment.

– Jason, face in the crowd

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Kickin’ It with Kiz: The one person on planet who could lure Nikola Jokic away from the Nuggets

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