Latest news with #NikolaJokić
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nuggets' Nikola Jokić's new $94 million, 39% three-point shooter could lead to next ring
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokić has been an absolute gem for the Denver Nuggets, bringing them the franchise's first championship two years ago. Ever since the second-round pick emerged as the player he is today, the Nuggets' front office has tried its best to build a competitive roster that fits around his playing style. This offseason may have been their best, with some new acquisitions that could make all the difference en route to capturing their second championship. Most noticeably, they traded away Michael Porter Jr. and got back 6'8 sharpshooter Cam Johnson, who was part of the Brooklyn Nets. Last season, Johnson averaged 18.8 points per game, the most in a season for his career. He also shot 57.8% from the field last year, an incredible number for a player who relies mostly on jump shots. Most impressively, this is when he was creating most of his shots himself, something he had never had to do that he will share the court with Jokić, the floor should open up much more, and while he may not average as many points, he should see a lot more uncontested jumpers. Although they had to give up a first-round pick on top of Porter Jr., Johnson should prove he was worth it. His usage will be low, but he thrived in that type of situation with the Phoenix Suns when they took the Milwaukee Bucks to six games in the 2021 NBA championship. Johnson could be the x-factor that Denver needs to get over the hump and conquer the Western Conference.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
LeBron James, Nikola Jokić reportedly meet over $5bn upstart to rival NBA
A high-profile meeting last week in France between LeBron James, his business partner Maverick Carter and Nikola Jokić's agent Miško Ražnatović was about plans for a new $5bn international basketball league, according to a report by Front Office Sports, which cited multiple sources familiar with the matter. The proposed league, spearheaded by Carter, would feature six men's and six women's teams that travel together to eight global cities in a touring format. Inspired by LIV Golf and Formula One, the league aims to offer players equity stakes, something NBA rules currently prohibit for active athletes. Ražnatović, a powerful figure in European basketball, posted a photo of the meeting on Instagram over the weekend. The caption, tagged in Saint-Tropez, teased: 'The summer of 2025 is the perfect time to make big plans for the fall of 2026.' That photo fueled speculation about a potential team-up between James and Jokić, but sources confirmed to Front Office Sports the meeting was unrelated to the NBA. Carter began pitching the league earlier this year, with Bloomberg reporting in January that he is seeking to raise $5bn in funding. Backers already include the Singapore government, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, SC Holdings, UBS and investors such as Skype co-founder Geoff Prentice and former Facebook executive Grady Burnett. Unlike the WNBA-adjacent Unrivaled league, which allows dual participation, Carter's venture is expected to require full-time commitments, effectively ruling out NBA participation unless league rules change. The NBA, meanwhile, is pursuing its own expansion into Europe. Commissioner Adam Silver and deputy commissioner Mark Tatum met with UK prime minister Keir Starmer in London last week to discuss plans for a Europe-based NBA league in partnership with Fiba. As part of that effort, the NBA announced that the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies will play regular-season games in Berlin and London in January 2026. EuroLeague officials have pushed back against the NBA's expansion talks. 'We said to them, like we said publicly, we don't believe that the new league is something that would help the market,' EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejūnas told the Athletic on Tuesday.
The Guardian
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
LeBron James, Nikola Jokić reportedly meet over $5bn upstart to rival NBA
A high-profile meeting last week in France between LeBron James, his business partner Maverick Carter and Nikola Jokić's agent Miško Ražnatović was about plans for a new $5bn international basketball league, according to a report by Front Office Sports, which cited multiple sources familiar with the matter. The proposed league, spearheaded by Carter, would feature six men's and six women's teams that travel together to eight global cities in a touring format. Inspired by LIV Golf and Formula One, the league aims to offer players equity stakes, something NBA rules currently prohibit for active athletes. Ražnatović, a powerful figure in European basketball, posted a photo of the meeting on Instagram over the weekend. The caption, tagged in Saint-Tropez, teased: 'The summer of 2025 is the perfect time to make big plans for the fall of 2026.' That photo fueled speculation about a potential team-up between James and Jokić, but sources confirmed to Front Office Sports the meeting was unrelated to the NBA. This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue'. Carter began pitching the league earlier this year, with Bloomberg reporting in January that he is seeking to raise $5bn in funding. Backers already include the Singapore government, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, SC Holdings, UBS and investors such as Skype co-founder Geoff Prentice and former Facebook executive Grady Burnett. Unlike the WNBA-adjacent Unrivaled league, which allows dual participation, Carter's venture is expected to require full-time commitments, effectively ruling out NBA participation unless league rules change. The NBA, meanwhile, is pursuing its own expansion into Europe. Commissioner Adam Silver and deputy commissioner Mark Tatum met with UK prime minister Keir Starmer in London last week to discuss plans for a Europe-based NBA league in partnership with Fiba. As part of that effort, the NBA announced that the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies will play regular-season games in Berlin and London in January 2026. EuroLeague officials have pushed back against the NBA's expansion talks. 'We said to them, like we said publicly, we don't believe that the new league is something that would help the market,' EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejūnas told the Athletic on Tuesday.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nikola Jokić cries tears of joy, takes champagne shower after his horse wins race in Serbia
Much was made about Nikola Jokić's stoic reaction to winning the 2023 NBA championship. This is not that. Jokić, whose love of his horses is well-documented, watched one of them win a race in his home country of Serbia on Sunday. Arena Sport TV documented the action and Jokić's reaction in a video that the Denver Nuggets shared Sunday afternoon. Jokić let the emotions fly. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] After his horse crossed the finish line, Jokić put his head in his hands in tears. He then hopped a fence to access the track, still in tears as he approached his horse and his driver with his arms wide open. He then shared a hug with the driver and gave his horse a pat on the back. The tears kept flowing as he walked with his team to the celebration circle. There, Jokić was in charge of the magnum bottle of champagne. He popped the cork, then sprayed down his team, horse included. He then proceeded to pour champagne on the heads of his team members while saving the final champagne shower for himself. It was a display of unbridled joy. Cue up Jokić's stoic reaction in the immediate aftermath of leading the Nuggets to the NBA championship in 2023: "It's good," Jokić told ESPN when asked how it feels to win his first championship. "The job is done. We can go home now." This reaction resulted in jokes about how much Jokić does or doesn't care about basketball. Which were, of course, silly. Jokić has been the best basketball player in the world for several years running. He's a three-time MVP and a two-time Olympic medalist in addition to being an NBA champion. Of course he cares about basketball. A lot. One doesn't reach his level without caring. And he did let his guard down in the ensuing celebrations in the Nuggets locker room ... : ... and again during Denver's championship parade: But it's fair to say that Jokić's love for his horses and their racing success holds an unparalleled place in his heart. Nothing — at least in public — seems to come close.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
From MVP To The Winner's Circle: Nikola Jokić Brought To Tears As His Horse Wins In Serbia
From MVP To The Winner's Circle: Nikola Jokić Brought To Tears As His Horse Wins In Serbia originally appeared on Paulick Report. Denver Nugget's versatile big man and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić was brought to tears watching his horse win a race at Dužijanca in Subotica, Serbia on the translated video, Jokić—who races under the ownership name Dream Catcher—watched as his horse won the second race on the card. In the video, you can see Jokić hugging the horse and celebrating with champagne. Jokić, also known as 'Joker,' is a lifelong harness racing fan. He first got into the sport around age 12 when his parents took him to the track. A friend's dad was involved in racing, and one thing led to another—Jokic was hooked. The 2023 NBA Champion has celebrated plenty of big wins before, but watching his horse cross the finish line clearly meant more. One looked like work. The other? Pure passion. Post race interview with subtitles: Nikola Jokic post race interview with English subtitles (via Reddit r/denvernuggets) This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
