NBA – Nikola Jokic on the move in Denver?! The clarification after the disturbing speech!

Par Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Journaliste sportif

A few weeks ago, Nikola Jokic was the subject of departure rumors that were quickly denied. But now that the Nuggets’ co-owner has brought such a worst-case scenario back to the fore, Shams Charania has stepped in.

In predicting one of the most turbulent off-seasons in recent years, the league’s various insiders seem to have been right. In any case, the market has already offered many twists and turns at this stage, including some major transfers. The Celtics, for example, parted ways with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in order to limit their spending and go under the dreaded second apron.

Many franchises are actually afraid of finding themselves in a similar situation and having to transfer one of their stars, or risk finding themselves in the red financially. Josh Kroenke, co-owner of the Nuggets, summed up the situation at a press conference. He mentioned the possibility of Nikola Jokic’s forced departure… and sent a shiver down Denver’s spine.

Shams Charania puts out the Nikola Jokic fire

Immovable since his arrival in the league in 2014, Jokic had already been the subject of departure rumours a few weeks ago, following the dismissal of Michael Malone. However, those rumours quickly fizzled out, with multiple journalists declaring them unfounded. And for once, Shams Charania was on the Pat McAfee Show in recent hours, playing the role of fireman:

Shams Charania: “As far as I’m concerned, I simply saw Josh Kroenke’s comments as an analogy. I know personally that he would never consider or want to trade Nikola Jokic under any circumstances (…) People in Denver know that the Nuggets are never going to include him in any trade.”

Enough to reassure even the most worried Denver fans.

ESPN’s famous insider went on to point out that the Serbian international is not likely to be the instigator of such an earthquake either:

Shams Charania: “Obviously, Nikola Jokic never gave any indication that he wanted to be traded either. Right now, he’s probably on the back of a horse somewhere in the world and has no idea that Josh Kroenke said that about him! If there’s one player in the league who’s unattainable in the off-season, it’s him (…) I just think Josh Kroenke’s comments were misperceived.”

On the face of it, Nuggets fans can sleep soundly this early summer.