NBA executives are monitoring the situations of Nikola Jokic, Bam Adebayo and Devin Booker as the Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns struggle early in the 2026-27 season, according to Howard Beck of The Ringer.
Beck described Jokic as sounding “a little testy,” Adebayo as “a little aggravated” and Booker as a player whose talent is being wasted. He added that rival executives are watching the three teams’ struggles, while also monitoring developments in New Orleans and Sacramento.
Jokic, 31, is in the fourth season of a five-year, $276 million contract that includes a player option for the final year. Denver is 3-3 through six games, with the center averaging 22.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 9.0 assists in 37 minutes per game. Jamal Murray leads the Nuggets with 27.3 points per contest.
Adebayo, 29, is in the first season of a three-year, $160.3 million deal with a player option for the final year. Miami has started 2-5 despite Giannis Antetokounmpo averaging 28.4 points and 12.3 rebounds. Adebayo is contributing 16.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
Booker, 30, is in the third year of a four-year, $220.4 million contract. He has also signed a two-year, $132.6 million extension that includes a player option for the 2029-30 season.
Phoenix has opened the campaign 1-4, with Booker averaging 23.0 points and 5.2 assists in five appearances. He is shooting 48.8% from the field and 35.0% from three-point range, while Miles Bridges and Dillon Brooks are scoring 17.2 and 16.8 points per game, respectively.
Beck also pointed to the situations in New Orleans and Sacramento. The Pelicans are 3-4, with Zion Williamson averaging 21.3 points, while the Kings are 1-6 despite Darius Acuff Jr. scoring 26.1 points per game and Domantas Sabonis averaging 14.6 rebounds.
