The NBA has been fixated with the idea of superteams ever before LeBron James memorably took his skills to South Beach in 2010. If one superstar is good, two superstars are even better, so the theory goes. three superstars, too? So you may begin planning the procession routes.
But the superteam period might be over, much like cheap mortgage interest rates under 3%.
And if you want proof, just look at the NBA Finals rival Miami Heat or the Western Conference champion Denver Nuggets.
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers on their way to their first-ever NBA Finals.
Even this well-built Nuggets team may be compared to house hunting. Perhaps an ideal house doesn’t need to have all the bells and whistles. They are entertaining for bragging rights, yes. But in terms of necessities, a strong foundation and perhaps one high-value amenity will suffice.
The All-NBA center Nikola Jokic is that essential asset for Denver’s roster. Even if he didn’t win the league’s MVP award this season, the previous two-time MVP will be thrilled to forgo a personal accolade in lieu of a championship ring.
We embarked on our own finals quest and traveled far into the Rocky Mountains to locate Jokic and his teammates’ residences. The Nuggets may not be a superteam, but the players do possess some real estate fit for a superstar.
The house of Nikola Jokic is no joke
Jokic plays center for the Nuggets, and he has league-leading skills in scoring, grabbing rebounds, and passing. In 2015, he relocated from his home Serbia to Denver as an unnoticed second-round draft pick. He has earned multiple All-Star nominations and All-NBA selections over the previous eight seasons, and he has guided the team to the postseason four times in a row.
He agreed to a five-year, $270 million contract in July 2022 that will keep him in Denver until 2028, a deal that was in line with his reputation as one of the top players in the league. In the wake of his significant agreement, we couldn’t discover any proof that he went house hunting (again), but we’re quite sure we know where he’s settled—for the time being.
A 29-room mansion in the Cherry Hills Village area was bought by an LLC that appears to be associated with Jokic for $4.5 million in late 2021. The house, which is gated and exclusive, went on the market in June 2021 for $5.3 million.
The property was advertised as a “Old World estate” with “true palatial elegance.” Maybe the huge man from the Balkans liked that feeling.
The 12,271 square foot house is unquestionably extravagant, with marble, chandeliers, and spacious living areas. A 12-seat home theater, a gym, and guest flats are among the upscale facilities. A resort-style pool and a pool house with a kitchen are located in the backyard.
The upscale enclave, which is located approximately 10 miles south of the city center, is swarming with multimillion-dollar residences.
Cherry Hills Village now has about 30 properties on the market, including a recently finished $29 million spec mansion. Jokic might not have to travel very far if he wants to improve his already luxurious living situation this summer.
Jamal Murray keeps it modest
Point guard Jamal Murray lives in a relatively modest residence in Denver, while maybe owning a larger home in his native Canada. An LLC with ties to the province of Ontario paid $870,000 for a townhouse in the Jefferson Park area of the city in July 2019.
The four-level home, which was constructed in 2014, has a rooftop patio with breathtaking views of the city and mountains.
The three-bedroom house includes a small dining area, a couple of comfortable living areas, and a lovely kitchen with bar seating. Best of all, Ball Arena is barely a mile away.
Michael Porter Jr. digs downtown Denver
Sharpshooting forward Michael Porter Jr., who was selected by the Nuggets in the 2018 draft, needed some time to establish himself in Denver. In August 2021, he finally decided to splurge on a downtown condo, choosing to go all out in terms of aesthetics. Porter paid $4,525,000 for a four-bedroom apartment in the Four Seasons Residences of Denver.
The structure is supposed to provide a “unparalleled level of service and amenities,” including a doorman, private elevators, and a rooftop pool, and is only a 10-minute stroll from the arena.
The property was first put up for sale in late 2019 for $5 million under the description “the personal residence of one of the world’s most revered masters of public architecture.”
It turns out that Curtis Fentress, the architect who created the primary passenger terminal at Denver International Airport, was the one from whom Porter purchased the condo. Fentress is regarded as a pioneer in the field of sustainable design, and his company has worked on a variety of designs for corporate clients, governmental organizations, and additional airports.
The art-filled flat, which was featured in Architectural Digest in 2016, is thought to boast some of the best views in the city. There is no information on whether Porter kept the sheep or not.
KCP not spotted in Denver
The experienced guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (aka KCP), in his first season with the Nuggets, is looking for his second championship ring and, possibly, a place to stay in Denver.
He was a successful player for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, and in July 2021, he listed his contemporary Playa Vista, California home for $4.95 million. Around the time the Lakers sent him to the Washington Wizards, it was sold a month later for $4.6 million.
In September 2021, KCP made a follow-up trade and bought a $4.9 million estate in Potomac, Maryland. The magnificent mansion with six bedrooms and “embassy-sized” living and dining rooms as well as a professional sports court in the backyard is still his property.
And while though we were unable to locate any proof that KCP had a house in Colorado, the Georgia native does have an off-season residence close to Atlanta.
The 10,188 square foot Sandy Springs, Georgia estate was custom constructed on one of the biggest properties in the neighborhood. The six-bedroom house was purchased by Caldwell-Pope for $1.6 million in 2016.