The itinerary was settled on Sunday, two days before the scheduled departure.
The Nuggets found out Nikola Jokic had won his second consecutive MVP several days earlier, but as it turns out, planning a covert, international surprise party takes time. Nuggets coach Michael Malone sent team president Tim Connelly a text.
“I said ‘Listen, man, no one other than you and me should be giving him this award over there,'” Malone said. “‘Whatever we have to do to make this happen, let’s go to Serbia and give him the award.'”
Flights were booked on Mother’s Day.