The Los Angeles Lakers are committed to keeping Luka Dončić in the franchise until he retires — that has been the message ever since they traded for him. This means the Lakers must build around him. At times, there’s even been speculation about the team potentially signing Nikola Jokić.
“There is no trade the Lakers would make that would give James a better chance at a title than he has playing with Doncic," insider Anthony Irwin wrote. "There’s also no trade James would accept that would benefit the Lakers and fit their parameters as they look to pair Luka Doncic with either Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokic."
Dončić and Jokić are best friends. Based on how the current roster is constructed, the Lakers will have significant cap space available by the time Jokić becomes a free agent in a few years.
“There's little to fear here for Nuggets fans. Jokić, 30, is signed through the 2026-27 season and has a player option for 2027-28. He was first eligible this offseason to sign a three-year, $212 million extension, but declined. The reason? He stands to secure a lot more money by waiting until next offseason to sign an extension,” Yahoo Sports’ Jason Owens wrote.
Despite their friendship and the growing speculation, Jokić may have already shut down the idea with his firm stance during Denver’s media day.
“My plan is to be a Nugget forever,” Jokić told reporters.
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Dončić may try to recruit his close friend, but Jokić leaving Denver simply doesn’t seem likely. The Nuggets are one of the best teams in the league, and there’s no real reason for him to depart. Still, the possibility of Dončić and Jokić teaming up would be a frightening thought for the rest of the NBA.
The Lakers are determined to keep Dončić for the rest of his career — but one of the franchise's biggest potential moves to help secure that future may already be off the table.