Nikola Jokic is expected to join the Denver Nuggets “very soon” in Orlando, Florida.
Nuggets manager Michael Malone has hinted that the team’s All-Star center may arrive at Walt Disney World Resort on Saturday night.
“Nikola Jokic will be on the bubble very, very soon,” Malone said during a video conference with reporters on Saturday. “I know it’s a great topic of discussion when he is here. He will be here very, very soon and excited to see him.”
“No newcomers today,” Malone added later when asked if other Nuggets players who are not in Orlando have yet arrived. “But the hour of midnight has not yet come and I expect a big surprise from Europe that will come soon enough.”
A source told ESPN that Jokic did not fly with the team when the Nuggets left for Orlando on Tuesday due to travel problems. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst reported on June 23 that Jokic tested positive for the coronavirus in Serbia and that his arrival in the United States would be delayed. A source said that Jokic has since tested negative, which he should have done twice before leaving Serbia and then twice again in the United States.
Upon arrival at Disney World, Jokic will need to quarantine for two days before participating in team activities.
“If he doesn’t have it [the coronavirus]Okay, then, “said Nuggets’ guard Jamal Murray when asked how Jokic would be back with the team.” So I hope he doesn’t have it when he comes here, he doesn’t contaminate the bubble. … It will be nice to have all our teammates [back]”.
While Malone wasn’t going into details, he said the team is waiting to see if other Nuggets on the travel team who haven’t flown with the team to Orlando will be arriving soon. The Nuggets closed their team structure before leaving for Florida after two members of the traveling team of 35 team members tested positive for coronavirus, according to Wojnarowski sources.
“We are waiting for positive news to return to Denver,” said Malone. “And I’m looking forward to integrating and being here as a full family.”
Malone has repeatedly said that Jokic is healthy and feeling well. The All-Star center got head over heels when photos of his new weight loss physique went viral recently.
“There is so much going on with Nikola’s weight loss,” Malone said. “I think there was a photo that spread like a fire while he was at home in Serbia. The funny thing for me is long before the league was suspended on March 11th, Nikola had lost a lot of weight since the beginning of the season. … To his credit, he just continued to be disciplined and focused with his routine during suspension and hiatus. “
“Nikola was committed to losing that weight,” added Malone. “From the beginning of the season until now, he has lost a significant amount of weight, probably in the best shape of his life.”
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