Saturday, August 2, 2025
Home Basketball "Sign the contract & just get fat" - Demarcus Cousins reveals Nikola...

“Sign the contract & just get fat” – Demarcus Cousins reveals Nikola Jokic’s retirement scare before $270 million Nuggets’ extension

Unquestionably, one of the greatest players to ever enter the NBA is Nikola Jokic. Interestingly, playing basketball doesn’t seem to be one of his priorities. Often, he’d appear not to care about playing the sport, which most fans have found hilarious.

Ad

On Thursday, former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins revealed how Jokic considered retiring from the sport. During the 2021-22 season, Cousins was part of the Denver Nuggets as a backup to the Serbian center. He wasn’t a star in the league anymore, but still made solid contributions.

The former four-time All-Star recalled the moment when he convinced the European big man not to step away from the basketball while he was in his prime.

Ad

Cousins appeared in Wednesday's episode of the "Straight Game Podcast," hosted by Mike Bibby, Eddie House and Ty Ellis.

Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.

“I don’t remember who, at the time, signed an extension,” Cousins said. “I’m like, ‘Yours gonna be crazy.’ He was like, ‘You know, Cous, I honestly think I might retire after this contract.’

“I said, ‘Leave $300 million on the table? You out your motherf**king mind.’ I said, ‘Sign the contract and just get fat, at worse.’ Don’t pass up the $300 million.”

Ad

Ad

Eventually, the three-time MVP didn't retire from the game and stayed with the Nuggets. He signed a five-year, $276 million supermax contract extension in 2022. For his next contract extension, Nikola Jokic can sign a new four-year deal that's worth up to $293 million. That is, if he waits until next year.

Despite appearing like he doesn't like to play in the NBA, Jokic still gets the job done. The 6-foot-11 big man is leaving a lasting legacy in the league with the way he's performed since emerging as an All-Star. And the Nuggets are maximizing his worth by giving him the money that he deserves.

Ad


Demarcus Cousins says Nikola Jokic doesn't care about basketball

When people think that Nikola Jokic doesn't care about basketball, that's because he doesn't. In the same podcast episode, Demarcus Cousins talked about how the sport is not Jokic's favorite thing to do.

“If you ever get a chance to just hold a conversation with him and just, he tells you a little bit about himself, he’ll let you know how real. He really don’t give a f**k about this s**t," Cousins said on Wednesday. “He doesn’t care, at all. This is like his second or third favorite thing to do. Maybe third or fourth.”

Cousins said that it's scary for others since Nikola Jokic doesn't care that much, but is still having some of the best games in the league. If he starts caring, though, it could be a problem for most players and teams he'll face.

Nuggets Fan? Check out the latest Denver Nuggets depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.

Quick Links

Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos
RELATED ARTICLES

“I earned my stripes” – DeMarcus Cousins claims he deserves same legendary status as Chris Webber, Oscar Robertson in Kings history

DeMarcus Cousins had arguably the best years of his NBA career with the Sacramento Kings. Cousins, in fact, firmly believes that he deserves to have the highest honor bestowed by the franchise. Ad The four-time NBA All-Star made this point clear when he appeared on this past Thursday's episode of "Straight Game Podcast," which is

“Effortless” – Raptors star Collin Murray-Boyles gushes over girlfriend Chloe Kitts’ jaw-dropping glam pics

Collin Murray-Boyles and his girlfriend Chloe Kitts made the headlines during the 2025 NBA draft. Murray-Boyles attended the draft night with his family and his girlfriend by his side, who garnered a lot of attention during her boyfriend's special occasion. Ad Since they went public with their relationship, the couple has frequently and publicly showered

“I got my backbone & my rock” – Steph Curry pours out love for Ayesha Curry in emotional tribute with romantic snapshots on their...

Steph Curry and Ayesha Curry are a well-known NBA couple. Given that both individuals are familiar and respected figures in their craft, people tend to pay attention to their relationship. On Friday, fans saw the Golden State Warriors star express his love for his wife in an Instagram post marking their anniversary. Ad Since Curry

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisment -

Most Popular

“I earned my stripes” – DeMarcus Cousins claims he deserves same legendary status as Chris Webber, Oscar Robertson in Kings history

DeMarcus Cousins had arguably the best years of his NBA career with the Sacramento Kings. Cousins, in fact, firmly believes that he deserves to have the highest honor bestowed by the franchise. Ad The four-time NBA All-Star made this point clear when he appeared on this past Thursday's episode of "Straight Game Podcast," which is

“Effortless” – Raptors star Collin Murray-Boyles gushes over girlfriend Chloe Kitts’ jaw-dropping glam pics

Collin Murray-Boyles and his girlfriend Chloe Kitts made the headlines during the 2025 NBA draft. Murray-Boyles attended the draft night with his family and his girlfriend by his side, who garnered a lot of attention during her boyfriend's special occasion. Ad Since they went public with their relationship, the couple has frequently and publicly showered

Taylor Fritz makes endearing gesture to celebrate girlfriend Morgan Riddle’s birthday amid Canadian Open campaign

Taylor Fritz recently showcased an adorable gesture toward his girlfriend, Morgan Riddle, on her birthday. The American tennis player is currently competing at the Canadian Open, which commenced on July 31, 2025. Ad Fritz was last seen competing in the second round of the tournament, where he bested Gabriel Diallo to advance to the Round

“We’d like to know what we’re paying for” – Casper Ruud opens up about wedding planning with fiancée Maria but keeps ‘perfect location’ a...

Casper Ruud shared how he planned his wedding and traveled overseas to find the perfect location while recovering during the grasscourt season. Since his French Open stint, Ruud has been absent from most grasscourt tournaments, including Wimbledon. Ad Ruud made his major tournament debut at the Australian Open, the same year he made his relationship

Recent Comments