Ex-NBA Player Reveals Nuggets' Nikola Jokic Nearly Made Shocking Decision in 2022

Ex-NBA Player Reveals Nuggets' Nikola Jokic Nearly Made Shocking Decision in 2022 originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Denver Nuggets have had a very active offseason thus far as they have made multiple additions to their roster to chase a championship next season.

Of course, the Nuggets entered the offseason looking to upgrade their roster around star center Nikola Jokic after back-to-back second-round playoff exits.

That is exactly what they were able to do as they traded Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson, landed Jonas Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings and signed Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown in free agency.

While all of this was taking place, Jokic was back home in Serbia cheering on his horses and on Thursday, ex-Nuggets player DeMarcus Cousins revealed that Jokic almost retired in 2022.

“When I was in Denver, our lockers were next to each other in the locker room,” Cousins said about Jokic. “I don’t remember who had just signed an extension at the time, but I told him: ‘Your new contract is going to be insane!’ He told me: ‘Cuz, I might retire before that contract.’ I said: ‘You’re going to leave $300 million on the table? Are you crazy? Sign the contract and then get fat, become bad. Just don’t miss out on $300 million!’ Then he told me: ‘Cuz, I just want to go back to my hometown and chill with my horses.’ I told him: ‘Joke, those horses will be there. You’ll just buy more horses with $300 million.’”

DeMarcus Cousins said Nikola Jokić wanted to retire in 2022 before he signed his superman contract with the Nuggets

“When I was in Denver, our lockers were next to each other in the locker room. I don’t remember who had just signed an extension at the time, but I told him:… pic.twitter.com/lYmyPPP3nN

— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) August 1, 2025

This is a crazy story by Cousins but one that is not a complete surprise as Jokic seems to enjoy spending time in his home country with his horses more than he does playing in the NBA.

Despite this, the three-time MVP winner did sign a five-year, $276 million extension with the Nuggets during the 2022 offseason and helped lead Denver to a championship the next season.

Of course, Jokic is now approaching another contract extension and it has already been reported that he will not sign it until next offseason, likely due to wanting to see how the Nuggets’ additions look next season.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 1, 2025, where it first appeared.