Nikola Jokic might be the most unbothered superstar in the league, but put him near a racetrack, and you’ll see a different fire light up. Everyone knows his love for horses runs deeper than his MVP trophies. Sure, he manages to casually dismantle NBA defenses with no-look passes and drop 30-point triple-doubles like it’s routine, earning him 3 MVPs, but when it comes to his horses? That is his real heartbeat. This off-season gave us Exhibit A—no press, no post-game suits, just Jokic, his stables, and a grin wider than the Denver skyline. But even passion has its limits, and guess how far the Serbian bear went?

He might be stoic on the hardwood, but Sunday showed us just how deep Nikola Jokic’s passion for horse racing runs. One of his horses crossed the finish line first in Serbia, and the moment completely overwhelmed him. The Joker—usually calm, collected, and unreadable—let the emotion pour out.

Tears streamed down his face before he made his way onto the track, where he celebrated the victory with a champagne pop straight out of a fairy tale. Forget MVP speeches, this was pure, unfiltered joy from a man who loves the sport just as much as the one he dominates. “Nikola Jokic was in tears after his horse won a race today 🥹,” titled HoopsAlert on Instagram, showing the Serbian in a completely different skin than what we see in the NBA. Nikola Jokic pulled up to the Duzijanac 2025 at the Hippodrome in Subotica like a proud parent on graduation day.

But this wasn’t just any Sunday stroll, but the day his horse, Demon Dell’Est, stormed to victory and stole the show. The win wasn’t just a trophy moment—it was personal. As soon as the result came through, the seven-time NBA All-Star let his emotions fly. The guy was genuinely tearing up before stepping onto the track in pure elation. You wouldn’t wanna be there when the horses are resting, though. That’s when Jokic shines – when his mastery of the sport is on display. But the worst part is, you wouldn’t wanna be there as a Mile Higher either.

Nikola Jokic’s uncertain future doesn’t necessarily give a warning sign to the Nuggets

You can’t help but feel sorry for the Serbian. And you can’t blame him for getting the irk to out himself of Denver either. But that’s what happens when you average a triple-double a game, and have an MVP-esque season, only to crash out in the Western semis. There’s a reprieve, though. Apparently, the front office is confident that the Joker wouldn’t wanna oust himself from the Denver Nuggets circus.

Nikola Jokic is playing the long game, and it’s a masterclass in financial patience. He won’t be signing an extension this season—that’s already a done deal. “It’s the smart move from his side, if I’m being honest,” said a Nuggets front office executive to NBA reporter Keith Smith of Spotrac. And it makes total sense. Jokic is currently on a five-year, $276,122,630 deal with a player option for the 2026-27 season. But if whispers around the league hold weight, that deal might get tossed entirely in favor of an even fatter paycheck next offseason. Strategic? Absolutely.

“It’s the smart move from his side, if I’m being honest. He can lock in an extra year next year, which is the way to do it when you are in his position. Same offer, plus one more year, will be there for him a year from now. He knows that, and we’re all on the same page,” said the exec.

This isn’t surprising at all, though. Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets are a pair destined for even more greatness down the line. And he does believe David Adelman’s project, too – he just wants a bigger payout. And can you blame him? All the man wants is his horses. Just lay off him.