With the Denver Nuggets electing to trade Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers to avoid the luxury tax, it raises a fascinating question that could shape the future of the NBA:
Could the Los Angeles Lakers take advantage of this Nuggets turmoil to bring Nikola Jokić to Hollywood to pair with Luka Dončić?
The Nuggets and Jokić have been in contract limbo. Jokić has put off signing an extension and has hinted at making a decision about his future with the team next summer.
Jokić will be 31 this season and has a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28, the final season on his five-year, $276.1 million extension that he signed after he helped propel the Nuggets to their first NBA title in 2023.
According to Lakers insider Anthony F. Irwin, the team is going to be “dead-set” on acquiring Jokić after their ownership situation is figured out.
With the Lakers ready to give Dončić the keys to the franchise and continue building around him, acquiring Jokić should be a no-brainer for them.
Dončić and Jokić are close friends and have enjoyed playing beside one another.
The two teamed up against the rest of the NBA during the All-Star Game in February on the team led by Dončić.
The success the Nuggets had in the playoffs three years ago now seems like a distant memory. They’ve won a combined two playoff series over the past three seasons, and were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening round last season.
Jokić, who averaged a triple-double last season with 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game, is a three-time MVP with years remaining in his prime.
The Nuggets’ decision to move on from Watson has been criticized by some observers as short-sighted cost-cutting.
It adds fuel to the notion of a potential divorce between Jokić and the team that would delight the Lakers.
