Nikola Jokić is a Serbian professional basketball player who currently plays for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is one of the best centers in the league today and is a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player. As of 2023, Nikola Jokic’s net worth is estimated to be around $55 million.
Basketball Career
Jokić began his professional basketball career in his native Serbia, playing for Mega Basket of the Serbian ABA League. He was selected in the second round of the 2014 NBA draft with the 41st overall pick by the Denver Nuggets.
Jokić made his NBA debut in 2015 and was named to the NBA All-Rookie first team in 2016. He quickly established himself as one of the best passing big men in the league. In the 2017-18 season, Jokić averaged 18.5 points, 10.7 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. He helped lead the Nuggets to the playoffs that season.
The next season, Jokic took his game to another level, averaging 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. He was named to his first NBA All-Star team and was also selected to the All-NBA first team. In the 2019-20 season, Jokic once again improved his statistics, putting up 19.9 points, 9.7 rebounds and 7 assists per game.
Jokic had his best season yet in 2020-21, averaging 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game. He led the Nuggets to the second round of the playoffs and was named the NBA Most Valuable Player. In 2021-22, despite injuries to his Nuggets teammates, Jokic led the team to the playoffs again while winning his second straight MVP award. He joined rare company as a back-to-back MVP winner.
Earnings as an NBA Player
As a second round draft pick, Jokic initially signed a standard rookie scale contract with the Nuggets worth $5.5 million over four years. In 2018, he signed a 5-year, $147 million maximum contract extension with Denver.
For the 2022-23 season, Jokic is earning $33 million in salary as part of that contract extension. With his lucrative new deal and rising fame, Jokic also started earning additional income through endorsement deals.
Jokic reportedly signed a multiyear shoe contract with Nike in 2019 worth an estimated $3-5 million per year. Other endorsement partners have included UE Wonders wireless headphones, Beretta firearms, and Raiffeisen Bank International.
In total, Jokic earns around $40-45 million per year in salary and endorsements as one of the NBA’s top superstars. Over his 8 seasons in the NBA so far, he has earned over $140 million in salary alone. And as he enters his prime, his income stands to rise significantly in the coming years if he keeps performing at an MVP level.
Lifestyle and Real Estate
Despite his newfound wealth and fame, Jokic is known for living a relatively quiet lifestyle centered on horses and farm life. He owns a large ranch property near Denver where he keeps horses.
Jokic also still owns a home in Sombor, Serbia where he returns regularly to train and visit family. He has helped support youth sports initiatives and horse racing in Sombor.
Although not known for extravagant spending, Jokic did splurge on a $2.1 million Mediterranean-style mansion in Denver in 2018. The 7,242 square foot home has 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, and features a home theater, wine cellar, and seven-car garage.
Jokic has explained that he prefers to live simply and spend money on his family and horses rather than flashy cars or jewelry that some NBA stars buy. He is known for his quirky fashion sense, often wearing draft horses on his clothing.
Philanthropy
Nikola Jokic has given back to the community through charitable initiatives focused on his native Serbia. In 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jokic donated medical equipment worth over $100,000 to hospitals in Serbia.
He also donated 250 iPads to students in Serbia to help children participate in online learning when schools were closed. Jokic partnered with the NBA’s “Basketball Without Borders” program to host a camp for youth in Serbia focused on leadership and life skills.
In the Denver community, Jokic supports the local Make-A-Wish Foundation chapter and has helped grant wishes for critically ill children. He also participates in Nuggets events that give back to Denver area schools and food banks.
As his wealth and profile continue to grow, Jokic is likely to ramp up his philanthropic giving and community impact.
Investments and Business Ventures
In terms of investments and business ventures, Jokic has so far focused mainly on real estate and the equine industry. As mentioned, he owns a large ranch near Denver where he keeps horses.
Jokic also founded and owns two horse stables in his native Serbia – Dream Catcher and JJ Equine. He has made winning horses a priority.
Jokic has not discussed any major outside business ventures or startup investments yet at this young stage of his career. Many NBA stars expand into business realms like restaurants, fitness companies, clothing lines, or venture capital later in their careers.
As one of the top highest-paid players in the NBA with prime earnings years ahead, Jokic will have the opportunity to explore virtually any business endeavors or investments he chooses. With his continued athletic success and prudent financial moves, his net worth should continue rising quickly.
Summary
In summary, Nikola Jokic has accumulated an estimated net worth of $55 million by 2023 through his lucrative 8-year NBA career and endorsement deals. He earns around $40-45 million per year in salary and sponsorships.
Jokic has mostly maintained a low-key lifestyle centered on horses, while making some smart real estate purchases.
As Jokic enters his prime in the NBA, his net worth stands to grow substantially in the coming years if he keeps performing at an MVP level. The Serbian star has already proven himself as one of the most talented and unique big men in basketball history.
At just 27 years old, Jokic’s blend of skill and selflessness position him well to continue piling up individual accolades and wealth as his career progresses.