The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t in terrible shape despite starting the 2025 offseason on a quiet note.
With Luka Doncic and LeBron James getting an entire season to compete alongside each other in Los Angeles, it’s reasonable to suggest the organization is an outstanding center away from putting it all together in 2025-26.
Regarding the Lakers’ future, would there be a way for the franchise to acquire a three-time MVP from the Denver Nuggets in two years and dominate the rest of the NBA? Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus’ answer to that question is a resounding yes.
“Should Denver falter this season and (Nikola) Jokic find himself disillusioned with the Nuggets' direction, he could do what most NBA stars do when they're unhappy—force a trade,” Pincus wrote Wednesday.
“Given that he can opt out of his contract after 2026-27, the threat of finishing out his deal and leaving for the Lakers—who could have the spending power in 2027 to sign him outright as a free agent, leaving Denver with nothing—is why there's a 2027 plan at all. The hope is that Jokic’s bond with Doncic is why he picks the Lakers.”
“Denver would get most of what the Lakers have in terms of young players and draft compensation. Austin Reaves has a low enough cap hold as a free agent that L.A. could absorb Jokic into cap room, then pay Reaves over $30 million per season while retaining Doncic.”
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Jokic’s 2024-25 campaign was his best one yet, for multiple reasons.
Statistically, Jokic enjoyed career highs in points scored (29.6 points), rebounds (12.7), assists (10.2), steals (1.8), and three-point shooting (41.7%) in Year 10.
From a team perspective, the former second-round pick guided a struggling Nuggets squad to the Western Conference Semifinals.
Jokic’s nonchalant perimeter and interior scoring, exceptionally accurate passing at 6-foot-11, and dependable defensive rebounding were much-needed in Denver this past season for the organization to avoid missing the postseason.
Jokic was also forced to endure a coaching change toward the end of the regular season, as the Nuggets fired Michael Malone and promoted former assistant David Adelman.
A player of Jokic’s caliber joining the Lakers after the 2026-27 campaign would undoubtedly bring joy to the franchise and its fanbase.
Although Jokic and Doncic occupy two different positions, their tactical approach to the game makes it impossible to ignore their glaring similarities.
If the two superstars were to join forces in Los Angeles, there’s no telling how many championships they could win together.
That said, the Nuggets’ decision to add Bruce Brown Jr, Tim Hardaway Jr., Jonas Valanciunas, and Cameron Johnson this offseason indicates that Denver’s serious about appeasing their best player. If this trend continues, there’s a good chance Jokic will remain with the Nuggets.
More NBA: Lakers' newly-acquired $215 million superstar could leave for Nuggets to help Nikola Jokic