On Wednesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania announced that the majority ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers is being sold to Mark Walter, the CEO and chairman of diversified holding company TWG Global.
After the reported $10 billion deal, a wild free agency trade involving a generational Denver Nuggets center was proposed to help Walter hit the ground running.
“The Lakers new owner Mark Walter loves to make big moves,” Fanduel Sportsbook wrote on X/Twitter. “Imagine the Lakers traded for Nikola Jokic to pair with Luka (Doncic)?”
Fanduel Sportsbook’s blockbuster trade proposal sends Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2031 first-round pick, and a 2028 first-round pick swap to the Denver Nuggets for Nikola Jokic.
Jokic fell short in the MVP race this year after winning the award three times between 2021 and 2024. However, the 6-foot-11 big man was undeniably the most impactful contributor on the Nuggets’ roster.
When Jokic wasn’t on the hardwood, Denver struggled to find a rhythm, proving the franchise had little to no shot of succeeding without the triple-double machine.
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Whether dishing out pinpoint, Houdini-esque dimes, taking matters into his own hands after snagging defensive rebounds, utilizing his large frame to bully defenders in the paint, or flaunting his refined three-point jumper, Jokic keeps the Nuggets afloat on the offensive end.
Although Denver fired Mike Malone in April and the Nuggets suffered their second consecutive premature playoff exit, Jokic was sensational in Year 10.
The 2015 second-round pick averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game, shooting 57.6% from the field and 41.7% from three-point land.
A Jokic, LeBron James, and Doncic in Los Angeles would give the Lakers a substantial edge over most Western Conference opponents.
However, there’s no chance the Nuggets would only accept an offer that doesn’t include at least three or four first-round picks in exchange for the No. 1 player in the NBA.
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