DENVER (AP) Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly says contract extensions for center Nikola Jokic and guard Will Barton are among his offseason priorities and he hinted coach Michael Malone might be in line for one, too.

The Nuggets have increased their win totals from 30 to 40 to 46 under Malone but they extended their playoff drought to five years when they lost in overtime at Minnesota in the season finale this week.

"This is the most confident I've been in our core group since I've been here," said Connelly, who's been in his post in Denver since 2013. "I think we have the makings of a team that can enjoy sustainably high levels of success.