Nikola Jokic, I just try to play basketball and I'm happy when we have a chance to do that every year

There were reportedly tensions between the coaching staff and front office at the Denver Nuggets, but Nikola Jokic declined to comment on the situation.

“That’s not my job,” said Jokic. “I just try to play basketball and I’m happy when we have a chance every year.”

Since winning the championship in 2023, the Nuggets have lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown, Jeff Green and Reggie Jackson.

“There was this urge to compete, especially from the players, the coaches and even myself,” Calvin Booth told ESPN. “You want to win, especially after winning the championship. And that’s probably where the tension started.”

“What are you trying to do? Are you trying to win? Are you trying to develop yourself further? I think everyone had the best intentions when it started. There was agreement. But I think competition and the focus on it can distract you from the buy-in.

“I think that people in general want more and more and more, but they don't know what they have,” Jokic said. “I’m really happy we have a title – a lot of very good players don’t win.”

“If we don’t win this year,” Michael Porter Jr. told ESPN. “We all know they may have to break it up.”

Booth said he speaks with Jokic often to update him on the team.

“(He) earned the respect when you check in and see, 'What do you think about this?'” Booth said. “It's a fine line – if there's someone he's played with for a long time, I wouldn't put that responsibility on him. … But we try to include him as much as possible.”

“I’m just here to play basketball,” Jokic said. “I don’t understand contracts, this and that, years and CBA. … That’s not my job.”