His passion for horse racing is no secret within NBA circles—some even say it surpasses his love for basketball. So, when news surfaced that he nearly retired before inking his supermax extension, it caught many off guard.
Former Nuggets center DeMarcus Cousins shared the story on the Straight Game Podcast, recalling a candid conversation during their time as teammates:
“Our lockers were side by side in Denver. Someone had just signed an extension, and I told Jokic, ‘Yours is going to be insane!’ But he looked at me and said, ‘Cuz, I honestly think I might retire before I even sign it.’”
Cousins couldn’t believe what he was hearing—Jokic was considering walking away from a deal worth around $300 million.
“I told him, ‘Man, you’ve lost your damn mind,’” Cousins said. “‘Just sign the contract and worst case, get out of shape. But don’t throw away that kind of money.’”
Jokic, however, wasn’t swayed by the dollars. He told Cousins he’d rather relax in Serbia with his horses. Cousins tried persuading him with humor, saying he could buy even more horses with the money.
Cousins also pointed out that Jokic’s indifference toward basketball has always been apparent.
“If you ever talk to him, you’ll see—he doesn’t really care about the NBA. It’s not even his top priority. Most games, even when he’s putting up insane numbers, he’d probably rather be somewhere else. And that’s what’s so crazy.”
If Cousins’ story is true—and all signs suggest it is—then Jokic may be one of the most naturally gifted players the NBA has ever seen. Even with his heart only partly in it, the Serbian superstar remains among the league’s elite.
In the 2024–25 season, Jokic averaged an astonishing 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.8 assists, shooting 57.6% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc—outrageous production for someone who treats the game like a side hobby.
While fans admire his devotion to Serbia and his horses, Jokic’s lack of long-term commitment has become a growing concern for the Nuggets. He recently declined a contract extension, likely holding out for a larger payday next season—but his departure remains a real possibility.
Denver’s front office is clearly aware of the uncertainty surrounding Jokic’s future and has been aggressive this offseason to strengthen the roster. While the upcoming season looks promising, all eyes will be on Jokic as he turns his attention to playing for Serbia in the EuroBasket tournament. Whether his NBA career continues beyond that remains a looming question.
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