There’s a key motive why Denver Nuggets celebrity Nikola Jokic can not have a no-trade clause in his contract.
A no-trade clause offers immense energy to any NBA star. The latest instance of it was how Bradley Beal pressured his manner out of the Phoenix Suns, because of the NTC in his contract.
Is Beal an important participant? Sure. However did he deserve a no-trade clause in his deal? Most would say no. There are solely a handful of NBA stars who may make a case for such an enormous clause.
Denver Nuggets celebrity Nikola Jokic definitely falls into that class. Sadly, as issues stand proper now, he can not get that.
At 30 years previous, Jokic continues to be within the prime of his profession. Evidently, re-signing the 3x NBA MVP must be on prime of the Nuggets’ precedence record.
Proper now, Jokic has three extra years left on his deal, assuming he opts into his $62.8 million participant choice for the 2027-28 season.
Evidently, there’s no shock that Jokic delayed signing a contract extension with the Nuggets this offseason. With the Joker prone to make that call in 2026, many would count on him to get a no-trade clause in his deal.
Sadly, it’s not potential, as NBA knowledgeable Marc Stein touched on this subject on X.
“As a result of no-trade clauses can’t be added to extensions. Beal obtained one as a result of he went to unrestricted free company and did a wholly new contract,” Stein wrote.
Regardless that Jokic meets the opposite necessities (eight years within the NBA + 4 years with the present crew) for no-trade clause eligibility, Stein confirmed that Jokic can not obtain an NTC.
“If Jokic extends his present deal, he can’t safe a full NTC regardless that he clearly meets the service-time necessities,” he added.
The earliest Jokic can obtain a full NTC is the summer time of 2027. However placing that apart, one other NBA star now has an NTC in his contract.
It’s none aside from Damian Lillard, who not too long ago signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Portland Path Blazers as an unrestricted free agent.
“With eight years of NBA service time and 4 years already banked as a Blazer, and since this can be a brand new contract and never an extension, Lillard is eligible for a full no-trade clause,” Stein defined on X.
Stein concluded: “Solely the Lakers’ LeBron James at present has one.”
As confirmed by Stein, Lillard and LBJ are at present the one two gamers with a full NTC within the league. Will followers see Jokic add to that record? Maybe in 2027.
