The Los Angeles Lakers would love to acquire Nikola Jokic, and the superstar plans to play out this season before extending with the Nuggets. He made it clear that he wants to play his entire career in Denver, but actions always speak louder than words in the NBA. Jokic only has one guaranteed season left on his contract before a player option in 2027. Fans have seen this before, and there is a glimmer of hope for the Lakers if the Joker refuses to extend his contract.
This saga just played out with Giannis Antetokounmpo. He refused to request a trade and wouldn’t say he wanted to leave Milwaukee, but things were different behind closed doors. Antetokounmpo was traded to the Heat this offseason after 13 years with the Bucks. Milwaukee’s roster wasn’t good enough to compete for championships, and it was time to move on.
Jokic plans to stay with the Nuggets and sign next summer, but changes happen. Denver has won just two playoff series in the last three years and is unwilling to spend significantly to put a title contender roster around the Joker. If they suffer another first-round playoff exit, anything is possible.
Lakers still have a glimmer of hope in the Nikola Jokic chase
Jokic refusing to extend gives him options next summer. He may choose to stay with the Nuggets or explore other scenarios. All 30 teams would find a way to create enough room to sign him. The 31-year-old is arguably the best player on the planet, but the Lakers hold a distinct advantage.
Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic are friends and have talked about playing with each other. The superstar duo would instantly be the best in the NBA. Los Angeles figures to be near the top of any list if the Joker becomes available.
Jokic has repeatedly said he wants to play his entire career for the Nuggets, and Lakers fans feel the heartbreak of missing out every time. This one is different. The three-time MVP wants to stay in Denver, but he isn’t extending. The Nuggets will certainly feel pressure to win this season. They can’t let Jokic’s eyes wander and risk losing the best player in franchise history for zero return.
The odds are slim of the Lakers acquiring him. He keeps telling everyone that he wants to be in Denver, but Los Angeles likely has the best shot among the 29 other teams to land his signature. It might be 0.5 percent at this stage, but things change. The Nuggets were just knocked out in the first round of the playoffs and haven’t made it to the conference finals since winning the title in 2023. If Denver doesn’t look like a serious title threat, the Jokic situation could flip on a dime.
The Los Angeles Lakers just want a chance. It is just a glimmer at this stage, but Nikola Jokic could have said he wants to be a Nugget for life as he inked a new four-year max contract. That didn’t happen.
The Joker wants to play out this season and discuss a new deal in 2027. He gets more guaranteed money that way, but it also slightly cracks open the door for another franchise to steal him. The Lakers are dreaming, and those aren’t quite dead yet. A new deal is the only thing that can stop the noise completely.
Acquiring him won’t be easy, but Luka will make a pitch. All Lakers fans can do is hope the Nuggets struggle enough that Jokic wants out. It is a massive ask, but anything is possible in the NBA. Stay tuned to see how it all shakes out.
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