Nikola Jokic Gets Offseason Win in Different Sport on Sunday
The last couple of seasons haven't been very kind to Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets. After winning the NBA championship in 2023, they have lost in the second round of the playoffs in both of the last two seasons, and on both occasions, they fell in Game 7.
Advertisement
But there is now some tangible hope that they could reclaim basketball's grand prize again this coming season. They pulled off a massive trade recently for two-way forward Cam Johnson, and they agreed to acquire center Jonas Valanciunas, who is the backup 5 they have long sought.
In the meantime, Jokic seems to be enjoying himself as he engages in his favorite hobby: horse racing. In his native country Serbia, he was seen celebrating at a horse racing competition.
Jokic is an avid horse harness racer, and it is something he has enjoyed since he was a child in Serbia.
He had a sensational season with the Nuggets, averaging 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists a game while shooting 57.6% from the field and 41.7% from 3-point range. He became just the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season, joining Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and teammate Russell Westbrook.
Advertisement
Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball as Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) guards in the first quarter at Ball Arena.© Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Many feel Johnson will be an upgrade over Michael Porter Jr., the main piece sent out to the Brooklyn Nets in that big trade. Meanwhile, Valanciunas can allow the Nuggets to at least tread water while Jokic is resting.
During the second round of the 2025 playoffs versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, they routinely lost ground when Jokic wasn't on the floor.
Related: Jayson Tatum Shares Offseason Update After Season-Ending Injury With Celtics
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
10 minutes ago
- New York Post
Norman Powell, John Collins dealt in three-team NBA trade
The NBA offseason keeps on churning as another multi-team trade was agreed to on Monday. Scoring guard Norman Powell is being sent to Miami after a strong season with the Clippers, John Collins is being routed to Los Angeles from Utah, and the Jazz snagged Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson and a 2027 second-round pick, ESPN reported. The extra scoring punch for the Heat comes at a time when the team is embroiled in contract negotiations with star Tyler Herro, who is extension-eligible with an expiring contract in 2027. Advertisement The Clippers wanted out of the Norman Powell business. AP Powell came in fourth in Sixth Man of the Year voting in 2024 and averaged a career-high 21.8 points per game last season while starting in all seven playoff games for the Clippers this postseason. The Clippers get back Collins, who is a stretch big on an expiring contract. Collins, while talented, has had a tough time staying healthy despite putting up solid points per game totals. Advertisement In 40 games, Collins averaged 19 points per game wth 8.2 rebounds, while shooting 39.9 percent from 3. Los Angeles could theoretically have a starting lineup of James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac, Kris Dunn and Collins. Love, 36, played in just 23 games last season for the Heat, primarily serving as a bench player, with an average of 11 minutes per game. Advertisement John Collins is an intriguing stretch big for the Clippers. AP It would appear he was added into the deal in part because of his contract matching salaries to facilitate the deal. 'Never thought I'd be a math problem,' Love said in a post on X. 'Welcome to the NBA.' Advertisement Meanwhile, Anderson had a tough time getting his footing last season after strong seasons with the Grizzlies and Timberwolves earlier in his career. Anderson will now go on to his third team in the last calendar year after he agreed to a three-year contract with the Warriors last offseason worth $27.6 million.
New York Times
15 minutes ago
- New York Times
Clippers, Heat, Jazz agree to four-player trade, Miami acquires Norman Powell
The Utah Jazz, LA Clippers and Miami Heat have agreed to a three-team trade that sends power forward John Collins to LA, shooting guard Norman Powell to Miami and power forwards Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love to Utah. The Jazz are also getting a Clippers 2027 second round pick, league source tells The Athletic. Advertisement It's a trade that represents a major shift for the Clippers and Heat. Powell was one of the top scorers on the Clippers last season and one of the best shooters in the NBA, garnering All-Star consideration as a replacement for Paul George, who left the franchise last offseason. But the Clippers struggled with the unique frontcourt size of the Denver Nuggets in a seven-game series, and Powell had a decline in performance after the All-Star break due to a variety of factors, such as the healthy return to form of Kawhi Leonard and injuries to Powell's knee and hamstring. Powell's worst game of the series was in Game 7, scoring only nine points, while Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon couldn't be dealt with. Powell was extension eligible heading into the final year of his contract. But his age, availability and fit made an extension with the Clippers dubious. Now, Powell goes to a Heat team relatively starved for offensive production outside of All-Star guard Tyler Herro and power forward Bam Adebayo. Collins appeared in only 40 games for a Jazz team that finished last in the Western Conference. But he was remarkably efficient, making 52.7 percent of his field goals while averaging a career-best 1.5 3s per game, hitting those 3s at 39.9 percent. Collins also averaged 8.2 rebounds, one steal, and one blocked shot to go with 19 points per game. The Clippers envision Collins as a likely starter next to center Ivica Zubac but also are looking forward to Collins playing next to 3-point shooting center Brook Lopez in order to open up Collins' interior game. The move allows the Clippers to reduce Kawhi Leonard's power forward minutes, while also reducing the number of power forwards James Harden is assigned to defensively — Leonard usually defended wings in the games he played, while the Clippers had Harden on bigger players to allow Powell, Derrick Jones Jr. and Kris Dunn to defend perimeter players. Advertisement The Jazz are expected to keep Anderson but will discuss Love's options with him in the coming days, per league sources. For Miami, converting two fungible expiring contracts into a productive wing player improves their short-term possibilities without unduly sacrificing the long term. Powell is also extension-eligible ahead of his 2026 free agency, and a new deal with the Heat seemingly makes more sense than doing the same in L.A. The trade momentarily leaves Miami $1.3 million over the tax line with 14 rosters spots filled, although the Heat could easily wriggle out with a trade or buyout of Terry Rozier or a small deal at the trade deadline. Adding Powell at a market-rate extension (he's eligible for up to $28.7 million in 2026-27 salary) would still leave Miami roughly $20 million short of the 2026-27 tax threshold. — John Hollinger, NBA senior writer Utah's addition of Anderson and Love to an already-crowded frontcourt practically screams 'buyout.' Anderson's $9.2 million salary is unprotected in 2026-27, which could make him a trade chip, but he also has more remaining value as a player than Love and could end up starting in Utah. Love makes $4.2 million and would seemingly be a target for any team looking for an end-of-bench vet. Utah will generate a $13 million trade exception with this deal, or possibly a $19 million exception if it can turn the Jusuf Nurkic-Collin Sexton deal with Charlotte into a three-team trade. Finally, there is a potential cap-room angle here for the Jazz. They can create $18.1 million in room if they waive the non-guaranteed deals of K.J. Martin and Jaden Springer, or potentially more if they buyout Love and/or Anderson. While the rebuilding Jazz would be unlikely to make such a maneuver for a signing, it could open the door to a salary dump trade that nets Utah more draft picks. — Hollinger
Associated Press
35 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Powell joining Heat, Collins to Clippers, Love and Anderson to Utah in 3-team trade, AP source says
MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Heat are acquiring Norman Powell, John Collins is going to the Los Angeles Clippers and Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson are headed to the Utah Jazz as parts of a three-team trade, a person with knowledge of the agreement said Monday. Also in the deal: at least one second-round draft pick, going from the Clippers to Utah, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade has not gotten the required approval from the NBA. Powell averaged 21.8 points last season for the Clippers and is a career 40% shooter from 3-point range. Collins averaged 19 points in 40 games for the Jazz last season, while Love averaged 5.3 points in 23 games with the Heat and Anderson averaged 6.7 points in 25 games after being traded to Miami. ESPN first reported the agreement. Powell figures to give Miami much-needed scoring and shooting. The Heat were 24th out of 30 teams in points per game last season, plus have already seen the departure of Duncan Robinson — the team's all-time 3-point leader — this summer. Robinson is joining the Detroit Pistons. Love is an NBA champion, a five-time All-Star, a likely Hall of Famer when his playing days end and had expressed interest in possibly remaining with the Heat even past his current contract — which expires after the coming 2025-26 season. Collins has averaged 16 points per game in eight seasons, the first six with Atlanta and two with Utah. Anderson will be joining his sixth team, after previous stints with San Antonio, Memphis, Minnesota and Golden State before getting sent to the Heat as part of the trade that moved Jimmy Butler to the Warriors. ___ AP NBA:
