"Sign that contract and get fat at worst!" - Cousins claims Jokic considered retirement before signing supermax with Nuggets originally appeared on Basketball Network .
Watching Nikola Jokic play defies logic and science, but that's just how he is in person, at least according to DeMarcus Cousins . According to Boogie, The Joker contemplated walking away after his second contract, even if it meant turning down nearly $300 million in a supermax extension.
"When I was in Denver, our lockers were next to each other," DMC said on the "Straight Game Podcast" with Mike Bibby, Eddie House and Ty Ellis. "I don't remember who at the time signed an extension… but I'm kinda like, 'Yours is gonna be crazy!' He was like, 'You know, Cuz, I honestly think I might retire after this contract.'"
"I said, 'Leave 300 million dollars on the table? You out of your MFing mind!' I said sign the contract and get fat, at worst. Don't pass up on the 300 million, bro," added Cousins.
At the very least, if this story were true, no one could even remotely predict how the mind of somebody like Nikola works. Ironically, that thought process is thoroughly reflected in his playstyle, where every possession seems to follow its own logic that only Jokic fully understands.
That said, Cousins admits this type of unpredictability is the main reason why he admires the Denver Nuggets center. According to the former four-time All-Star, Jokic essentially considers basketball his day job, and it's not even at the top of the list of his favorite things to do.
"The part that makes me love Jokic as much as I do is his personality," stated DeMarcus. "It's the fact that if you ever got a chance to just hold a conversation with him, he tells you a little bit about himself, he really don't give a f—k about this s—t. He doesn't care at all!"
"Most games where he's dropping one of these crazy stats," Cousins said, "he probably doesn't even wanna be there."
It's unbelievable how a guy who essentially averaged 30/13 and 10 last season would be so nonchalant about hoops. However, it might be exactly that balance that keeps Jokic so dominant.
By never letting the game consume him, he stays loose, creative and unpredictable — all of which translate perfectly to his style on the floor. While others might overthink high-pressure moments, Nikola treats them like any other possession, which could be why he so often comes through.
That detachment might frustrate fans who expect nonstop obsession, but for the Joker, it might be the key to performing at the highest level without burning out. As former San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich often emphasized, there's a bigger world outside of basketball.
The Serbian's affinity for horses is well-documented. He developed that passion as a young kid growing up in Sombor and was hooked since the day his father brought him to the local horse race track.
If he's not with his horses, Jokic can be seen enjoying Serbian music, drinking with friends, and simply spending time with his family. He never craves the spotlight and wants nothing to do with being famous when the time to step away from basketball comes.
Unsurprisingly, Jokic has alluded to this during Denver's 2023 title run.
"Nah. That cannot help you," Nikola answered a reporter who asked if there's something about being a basketball player that translates to being a dad. "I knew that even before, that basketball is not the main thing in my life, and probably never gonna be. And to be honest, I like it, because I have something more at home, something that is more important than basketball. I think that's [what I've] learned. I already knew that, but this kind of proved that I was correct."
For most superstars, basketball is the center of the universe. For Jokic, it's just one part of life — albeit a part that bankrolls his love for horses. Nikola works on his game, dominates opponents, and then heads back to what truly makes him happiest. It's not the usual formula, but clearly, it works for him.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
