The Los Angeles Lakers may not want to turn to a rival for guidance, but the Denver Nuggets have cracked a code Rob Pelinka can't outright ignore. Though Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic are far from carbon copies of one another, there's a general similarity between them that's made Denver's roster worth emulating and patterning Los Angeles' after.
Denver has surrounded Jokic with internally developed talent, productive veterans in clearly outlined roles, and players they acquired at a bargain price and brought the most out of.
Jokic and Jamal Murray, who was drafted by the Nuggets, are the star duo leading the charge on any given night. In no way are they a direct comparison, but it certainly seems as though Doncic and Austin Reaves have solidified their place as the Lakers' 1-2 punch moving forward.
Alongside Jokic and Murray is Aaron Gordon, a defensive-minded third option who's comfortable playing without the ball and picking his spots on offense.
Unfortunately, the Lakers lack that type of presence to provide consistent support to Doncic and Reaves. They can follow a similar path as Denver, however, as Gordon was acquired in 2021 for a relatively low cost of a declining Gary Harris, a struggling R.J. Hampton, and a single first-round pick.
The Lakers may find it even easier to land their own defensive-minded third option in free agency, but no matter how they do it, it's an essential step. And then comes the depth.
Nuggets have created perfect ecosystem for Nikola Jokic to thrive in
Alongside Gordon, Jokic, and Murray is a cast of up-and-coming players who were drafted or signed under the radar and ultimately developed by Denver. That includes Christian Braun and Peyton Watson, who are both high-level wing defenders and productive offensive players.
It also includes defensive-minded forward Spencer Jones, who has started 34 games for the Nuggets in 2025-26, and surging wing Julian Strawther.
Unfortunately, the Lakers only have one player under the age of 25 who consistently factors into the rotation: 24-year-old wing Jake LaRavia. LaRavia has been a revelation and has a second season at just $6 million remaining on his contract.
Unfortunately, one under-25 player who consistently plays isn't enough to create the type of depth Los Angeles needs, particularly on defense. Thus, the NBA Draft grows in its importance.
The key to rounding the Nuggets' rotation into contending form was the acquisition of veterans Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas. Each have had their roles clearly defined, thus enabling their weaknesses to be masked more easily and their strengths to shine through.
If the Lakers manage to develop talent from within, find a defensive-minded third star, and flesh out the rotation with productive veterans who are asked to play within their means, Doncic may very well contend again.