Nikola Jokic has not reached a decision regarding his participation in the Paris Olympics, dispelling earlier expectations that he and other Serbian stars would join the event after skipping the FIBA World Cup last summer. Despite Serbian coach Bozidar Maljkovic’s assertion that Jokic and his compatriots would feature in Paris, Jokic clarified his uncertainty during an interview with Aleksandar Zigic of RTS. Emphasizing that the decision involves consultations with his family and team post-NBA season, Jokic debunked rumors that he had made a commitment.
This uncertainty echoes the sentiments of other elite players, including American stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, who have expressed interest in the Paris Olympics but are awaiting post-NBA season assessments. The toll of the NBA season and potential deep playoff runs weigh heavily on their considerations. Jokic, having led the Denver Nuggets to the NBA Finals last season and currently favored in the Western Conference, faces the prospect of a demanding schedule leading up to the Olympics’ July 26 start.
While Serbia and the USA have secured berths for the Paris Olympics, teams like France (host), Canada, Germany, Japan, Australia, and South Sudan have also qualified on the men’s side. Four additional teams will emerge from qualifying tournaments next summer. An exhibition match between the USA and Germany, the team that eliminated them in the World Cup, is scheduled in London before the Olympics.
Streaming coverage of all Olympic basketball games, both men’s and women’s, will be accessible on Peacock next summer. The decision-making process for players like Jokic underscores the delicate balance between NBA commitments and international competition as they navigate their roles in the upcoming Paris Olympics.
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