The Los Angeles Lakers appear to be planning a far more ambitious roster move than the makeover they have already completed around Luka Dončić. Multiple NBA reports and insiders suggest the franchise could set its sights on Denver Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokić once the team’s ownership situation is resolved. The Lakers have spent the last year reshaping their roster, parting ways with players like Deandre Ayton, Jaxson Hayes, Rui Hachimura, and others rather than matching the offers those players received elsewhere. That approach has been widely read as a full commitment to building around Dončić, whom the team acquired in a blockbuster trade.
But some believe the front office is aiming even higher. According to NBA insider Anthony F. Irwin, once the Lakers settle their internal ownership questions, much of the organization’s focus could turn toward Denver and Jokić. “When the Lakers get their ownership situation figured out, a lot of the organization’s eyes are going to be dead set on Denver,” Irwin wrote.
The team’s ownership picture has been complicated by reported changes, with Mark Walter reportedly out and Bob Iger and Josh Kushner mentioned as part of the franchise’s future structure. Jokić, a three-time MVP and NBA champion, would represent a dream addition for the Lakers. Last season he averaged 27. 7 points, 13 rebounds, and 10.
7 assists per game while shooting 56 percent from the field. He led the league in assists while playing center, an achievement that has rarely, if ever, been matched. A combination of Jokić and Dončić on the same roster would give the Lakers two of the league’s most gifted offensive playmakers, both capable of creating scoring chances for themselves and everyone around them. The potential pairing has been described in some circles as a nightmare for the rest of the Western Conference.
However, the path to acquiring Jokić is far from straightforward. The Nuggets control his contract, and Jokić has repeatedly said he wants to remain in Denver for his entire career. He has indicated publicly that he plans to sign an extension next summer, though he has not yet signed a long-term deal. If he waits until 2027, Denver could offer him a massive contract reportedly worth around $359 million over five years.
There is also a player option for the 2027-28 season in his current agreement. Despite his loyalty to Denver, analysts have noted that the Nuggets’ recent off-season moves have raised questions about the team’s direction. Denver traded Payton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers for very little in return, a move some observers interpreted as a sign that the front office is struggling to build a competitive roster around Jokić. Fadeaway World’s coverage of the situation highlighted Jokić’s public extension plans but also noted those comments came before an off-season widely described as a disappointment.
Tyler Watts of Lake Show’s Life wrote that the Lakers’ chances of landing Jokić improved after the Watson trade, arguing that “things are headed south in Denver” and that Dončić gives Los Angeles a real chance to lure Jokić if he ever decides to change teams. Other outlets, including Courtside Buzz, have repeated similar speculation, framing the Lakers as a team that will pivot to Jokić once their internal ownership drama is settled. There are, of course, serious obstacles. Jokić is not available on the trade market at this moment, and Denver has no reason to move a player of his caliber unless circumstances change dramatically.
The Nuggets would likely demand an enormous return. Some speculation has pointed to Austin Reaves’ contract as a potential trade chip for the Lakers, along with draft capital and young players, but any deal for Jokić would almost certainly require a historic package. The Lakers’ history, however, suggests they would be willing to pay that price. The franchise has repeatedly built championship contenders through aggressive trades and free-agent signings rather than patient draft development.
The acquisition of Anthony Davis in 2019 is often cited as the most recent example of the team’s willingness to part with substantial assets to land a superstar. The same pattern has been invoked by those who believe the Lakers would move everything necessary to pair Jokić with Dončić. There is also a personal dimension to the speculation. Dončić and Jokić are both from the same region of the world, have played against each other since childhood, and are known to be close.
Their interactions at All-Star Games and international competitions have been widely publicized, and observers have noted that familiarity could matter if the Lakers ever try to recruit Jokić. Some commentators have gone further, suggesting Dončić could serve as a natural recruiter should Denver’s championship window appear to close. For now, the possibility remains speculation rather than a confirmed plan. Jokić has given no indication that he wants to leave Denver, and the Nuggets still control his future.
The Lakers, meanwhile, are waiting for their ownership situation to stabilize before making any major decisions. But if Denver struggles again this season, if the roster does not improve, or if another early playoff exit convinces Jokić that his window in Colorado is closing, the situation could change quickly. And if that door opens, the Lakers are expected to be waiting on the other side, ready to pursue one of the most intimidating superstar pairings the league has ever seen.
