After a grueling NBA season that ended in a heartbreaking seven-game loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Nikola Jokić has returned to his favorite sanctuary: home in Serbia. While the Denver Nuggets face a pivotal offseason of roster decisions and front office changes, their franchise cornerstone is doing what he always does this time of year—disconnecting from basketball and reconnecting with his roots.
Jokić’s offseason routine has become the stuff of legend. As teammate DeAndre Jordan recently shared on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back, the three-time MVP wastes no time unplugging.
“I know when he gets home he throws his phone in the river,” Jordan joked. “He sent me a selfie with a horse. I was like, ‘Alright, have fun, brother.’”
That horse, of course, is no prop. Jokić is a passionate equestrian, often spotted at local stables and racetracks, and even competing in amateur harness racing events. His love for horses is well-documented, and it’s clear that time spent with them is his way of recharging.
This summer, Jokić has also been spotted rafting down the Tara River in the Balkans, shirtless and sipping a drink, looking every bit the relaxed anti-celebrity he’s known to be. Fans along the riverbanks even broke into “MVP” chants, a reminder that his legend stretches far beyond the hardwood.
Nikola Jokic is living his best life this summer 😅
(h/t @Eurohoopsnet)pic.twitter.com/IDjwYalNQ9
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 14, 2025
Nikola Jokic gets MVP chants while rafting 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/xSx0wCdDUh
— NuggetsNation (@nuggetsfan4ever) June 14, 2025
Jokic rafting the Tara River today ☀️🚣🏻♂️ https://t.co/48DJiDPssY pic.twitter.com/xFVolGPWUF
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) June 13, 2025
In another viral clip, Jokić was seen trying his hand at Sepak Takraw, a Southeast Asian sport that blends soccer and volleyball. Despite being a 7-footer, he looked surprisingly nimble, drawing admiration for his coordination and willingness to try something new.
Jokić averaged a career-best triple-double in 2024–25—29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game—but narrowly missed out on a fourth MVP, finishing runner-up to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Nuggets, meanwhile, are navigating a turbulent offseason, having fired GM Calvin Booth and facing tough decisions around free agency and depth.
But Jokić isn’t caught up in the chaos. His offseason is about mental clarity, family, and joy, far from the spotlight. As one fan put it, “Nikola has the best summers.”
