The Los Angeles Lakers are positioning themselves as a potential landing spot for NBA superstar Nikola Jokic, with a recent report suggesting the Denver Nuggets center could be inching closer to a departure. As the 2026-27 season begins, Jokic’s future with the franchise he led to a championship is in question, opening the door for the Lakers to make another blockbuster move.
Jokic, a three-time MVP and the 2023 NBA Finals winner, has yet to sign a contract extension with the Nuggets that would make him the highest-paid player in league history. His public frustration, including arguments with fans, and the team’s struggles have fueled speculation that he could seek a trade or leave in free agency next summer. The Lakers, with a history of acquiring elite talent like LeBron James in 2018 and Luka Doncic in 2025, are seen as a prime destination for the Serbian center.
NBA teams are monitoring the situations of Nikola Jokic, Bam Adebayo, and Devin Booker, per @HowardBeck “Nikola Jokic sounds a little testy. Bam Adebayosounds a little aggravated. And Devin Booker? He just seems like a guy whose talent is being wasted. Is it comically premature… pic.twitter.com/JnAoQ8lONZ”
Nuggets’ Struggles Fuel Jokic Rumors
Two weeks into the season, the Nuggets have not found their footing, and Jokic’s patience appears to be wearing thin. According to reporting, he has lashed out at fans twice for booing during the opening week of the season. “In this case, if things got truly dark in Denver, Jokic could simply decline his $62 million option next summer and explore free agency,” an analysis noted. While that point has not yet been reached, his recent behavior suggests a player losing patience with his current situation.
Jokic is under contract for the remainder of the 2026-27 season and holds a player option for the following year. However, financial constraints have reportedly made it difficult for the Nuggets to build a championship-contending roster around him since their title win. An anonymous executive pondered whether the team should consider moving on from the 31-year-old star before his next massive extension makes it even harder to build around him.
Lakers Remain Top Contender for Jokic
The Lakers have long been linked to Jokic, strengthened by his close friendship with teammate Luka Doncic. Should Jokic decide to leave Denver, Los Angeles is viewed as a top destination. “Should things go south in Denver, he’d have a close friend waiting for him in Los Angeles,” a sports analysis stated, highlighting the well-documented bond between the two superstars.
The Lakers’ front office has a reputation for landing big names, and with Doncic likely in Los Angeles for the long term, Jokic has been identified as their next potential target. The team’s ability to attract top-tier talent could give them a significant advantage if a trade or free agency pursuit becomes a reality for the three-time MVP.
NBA Executives Monitoring the Situation
It’s not just the Lakers who are paying attention. Across the league, executives are keeping a close eye on Jokic’s situation, along with other stars like Bam Adebayo and Devin Booker. One executive bluntly stated, "Twenty-nine executives are not doing their job if they’re not constantly thinking about how to get Jokić on their team." This statement shows the high level of interest in one of the greatest players of his generation.
The Nuggets’ recent trade of young talent Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers for “virtually nothing” has only added to the narrative that the team is heading in a different direction, potentially without Jokic at the center. This move has reportedly improved the Lakers’ odds of landing the superstar if he ever decides to change teams.
A Potential Lakers-Jokic Partnership
The idea of Jokic and Doncic playing together is not new. There has “long been chatter” about the duo teaming up, and the opportunity could materialize as soon as the summer of 2027. While Jokic may never leave the Nuggets, his close relationship with Doncic makes Los Angeles a logical and attractive choice should he become available.
The Lakers’ strategy has always been different from other teams. As one analysis put it, “The 29 other teams are playing one game. The Lakers are playing another. Other teams worry about losing their stars. The Lakers plot to steal everyone else’s.” This approach has served them well in the past and could once again position them to land another franchise-altering player.
The coming months will be critical for the Nuggets as they work to keep their best player in franchise history. For now, Jokic remains with the team, and reports about his future are still in the rumor stage. However, with his ties to Doncic and the Lakers’ proven track record, if the Joker decides to move on, Hollywood will undoubtedly be calling.
