MVP Nikola Jokic reveals how long he plans to play in the NBA

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic solidified a future spot in the Hall of Fame on Wednesday after being named the NBA's MVP for the third time in his career. However, when reflecting on another incredible accolade, the six-time All-Star revealed an interesting tidbit about how long he plans to keep playing. 

Despite being only 29 years old and having at least several more years of elite productivity left in him, Jokic has already decided not to be one of those players who hang around too long. 

"I'm not going to take a spot from some young guy or put the franchise down," Jokic said via Michael Scotto of USA Today. "As long as I can play on the highest level and help the team win, I'm going to play until then." 

For the record, Jokic hasn't shown signs of slowing down any time soon. The six-time All-Star averaged 26 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists this season, bested only by his career MVP season in 2021-22 when he averaged 27 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. 

Meanwhile, Jokic is on the cusp of joining the game's immortals with a few more seasons of standout production. Arguably one of the best big men the league has ever seen, he became only the ninth player in NBA history to win MVP honors at least three times on Wednesday. 

Only five players have won it four or more times, including Wilt Chamberlain (four), LeBron James (four), Bill Russell (five), Michael Jordan (five) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six). 

Perhaps the only thing left to judge Jokic on is the amount of hardware the Nuggets have collected with the generational talent leading the way. However, if the Nuggets' current slide continues, he'll need to play at least one more season to add to it.

Jokic won NBA Finals MVP in 2023, but nearly a decade into his career, it's the only time he's led his team to a championship. Furthermore, it doesn't appear this will be the year the Nuggets recapture the Larry O'Brien Trophy, as Denver finds itself in a 0-2 hole early in its Western Conference semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.