NBA Hoops

Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, more

Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, more

HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and Nuggets beat writer Mike Singer share contract details on Nikola Jokic’s extension and injury updates on Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. The duo also discussed how the end of the Tim Connelly era happened, what’s next for new general manager Calvin Booth, the signings of Bruce Brown, DeAndre Jordan, and more on the latest edition of the HoopsHype podcast.

For more interviews with players, coaches, and media members, be sure to like and subscribe to the HoopsHype podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Listen to the podcast above or check out some snippets of the conversation in a transcribed version below.

1:55 Nikola Jokic’s max extension

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Scotto: A lot of people around the league were expecting this to happen. Jokic, the back-to-back MVP, got a five-year max extension from the Nuggets, which includes a 15 percent trade kicker and a player option for the 2027-28 season.

MORE: NBA salaries: All the new contract numbers as they trickle in

Singer on how seamless the negotiations were: I saw Nuggets governor Josh Kroenke in Vegas, and I asked him that question. He said, “It’s an honor, honestly.” When the governor is eager to pay $270 million to a player, you know the negotiations were seamless. This was as easy of a negotiation as it gets.

Can we talk about how there was no drama? He signed up for five more years, ostensibly in a place where free agents don’t want to come, and he didn’t even bat an eyelash. There’s no Kevin Durant trade request. There’s no chatter about moving a guy like Donovan Mitchell on the Utah Jazz.

People around the Nuggets were pinching themselves that they were fortunate not to have to deal with some of the BS that other teams have to deal with. It’s a testament to who Joker is and the relationship they’ve built since he came over in 2015.

6:00 Jamal Murray injury update

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Scotto: I saw Jamal Murray in Vegas at a New Balance event. He looked good physically, from what I could tell. He looked like he was in good basketball shape.

Singer: When they brought in their draft picks and Summer League team, Murray actually showed up to the gym in Denver and started playing in five-on-five runs with the guys. We’re obviously asking the coaches how Jamal looks? In April, the hesitation for him to return was not offensively. It was defensively. He was concerned about fighting…

Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at NBA Basketball News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games…