Nuggets Accused of Wasting Nikola Jokic’s Greatness as NBA Legend Insists on Breaking Up Team’s Iconic Duo

It's been three years since the Denver Nuggets won their first NBA championship in franchise history. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray led the charge for the Nuggets in 2023 as they defeated the Miami Heat in five games. Given their efforts, the Nuggets' front office ensured not to split the duo up in hopes of winning another title together.

However, a former NBA player believes that the sun has set for the Jokic-Murray duo in Denver. In a recent episode of NBA Today, Kendrick Perkins shared his thoughts on how the Nuggets are wasting Jokic's talents. He believes that the combo of Jokic and Murray is no longer working, and it's time to move on.

"The Denver Nuggets can't continue to afford to waste Jokic's greatness," Perkins said on the show. "At some point, they have to do what's right by him. They have to hit the market. I strongly believe that the Jokic-Jamal Murray duo has run its course when it comes to trying to win a championship with those two guys leading the charge."

Perkins then acknowledged how the Nuggets are still taking a risk on Murray this coming season. However, for Big Perk, Murray needs to step his game up this year if he truly wants to help the Joker lead the Nuggets to another NBA Finals appearance.

"But hey, Denver wants to roll the dice and run with it again," Perkins added. "That means Jamal Murray is going to have to up his game even more. First-time All-Star last year. He's going to have to up it to an All-NBA-caliber season."

Last season, despite securing the third seed in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the Nuggets shockingly made a first-round exit thanks to the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves, who beat them 4-2. Though Murray averaged a respectable 23.8 points, he did so on a postseason career-low 35.7% shooting from the field.

With the Joker playing in his final year of his contract before his player option in the 2027-28 season, Denver fans are concerned that he might leave if the Nuggets fail to win another championship this season.

Nikola Jokic Shares Thoughts on Importance of Remaining Nuggets Leader

Nikola Jokic has played for the Denver Nuggets for 11 seasons and is about to enter his 12th with them this October. Of the 12 seasons, he's been the Nuggets' leader for nine years, leading the team in points, assists, and rebounds.

While it's been some time since the Nuggets won their first championship, it seems that Jokic still enjoys playing with the Denver squad. In a recent postgame interview with the Joker on Sunday, after the Nuggets beat the Chicago Bulls 133-128 in a preseason game, he opened up about why he continues to act as his team's leader.

"I love to win the game," Jokic said. "I love basketball. I think every day detail matters, especially when the young guys are playing. It's good to see how they learn, how they care, and I enjoy it."

Throughout Jokic's career, the meme culture has created this narrative that he treats the NBA like a 9-to-5 job in a corporate office. But after his recent response, mentioning that he loves the game of basketball, the memes will likely be put to rest.

Hopefully, his enthusiasm for remaining the Nuggets' leader will result in a better outcome by the end of the 2026-27 season.