$300 million? Cousins revealed that Jokic once considered retirement to accompany his horses instead of signing a supermax deal.

On August 1, according to former Nuggets center Cousins on his podcast, Jokic contemplated retirement rather than signing a supermax contract. Jokic's passion for horse racing is well-known within the NBA, and in some ways, this passion surpasses his love for basketball. Nevertheless, the claim that Jokic nearly retired before signing his extension contract came as quite a surprise.

Cousins said, "When I was in Denver, our lockers were next to each other. I don't remember who signed the extension first, but I told him, 'Your contract is going to be insane!' He replied, 'Honestly, I think I might retire after this contract expires.'"

Cousins was shocked by Jokic's willingness to forgo the massive $300 million income.

“I said, ‘Bro, you’re out of your mind,’” Cousins continued, “I told him, ‘Just sign the contract, even if you end up coasting through it.’ Don’t give up that $300 million; you can’t do that.”

He recalled Jokic expressing that he just wanted to relax in the countryside of Serbia and spend time with his horses. Cousins even joked about trying to convince him that with that money, he could buy more horses.

Cousins also mentioned Jokic's lack of interest in basketball, stating, “If you get a chance to talk to him and hear him share about himself, you’ll realize he really doesn’t care about these (basketball-related) things at all. He completely doesn’t care. Basketball might be his second or third favorite thing to do, maybe third or fourth. Many times, even when he puts up those incredible stats, he probably doesn’t even want to be on the court. And that’s precisely the scariest part.”

American media lament that Jokic might be the most talented player in NBA history. Even with his lack of full commitment, this superstar from the Nuggets remains one of the league's best players. As a perennial MVP candidate, this Serbian giant consistently delivers astonishing stats, helping his team secure victories. In the 2024-25 season, Jokic averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.8 assists per game, with shooting percentages of 57.6% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range. Such numbers are simply incredible for someone who treats basketball as a hobby.

Jokic's love for his horses and life in his hometown in Serbia endears him to fans, but it also raises concerns for the Nuggets' management.

The big man recently rejected the team's extension offer, likely aiming for a more lucrative contract next season, and he could very well leave the team at some point.

Although team owners are already feeling uneasy about Jokic's future in Denver, a bigger question looms: will he remain in the NBA?

To keep him engaged with the team, the Nuggets have actively worked to build a stronger roster during this offseason, making the team a serious contender. While the outlook for next season may be positive, this superstar will currently focus on representing his country in the upcoming European Basketball Championship.