The Los Angeles Lakers would love to add Nikola Jokic to their roster, and the odds of landing him improved after the Denver Nuggets traded Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers for virtually nothing. All they got in return was Julian Reese, a 2031 first-round pick, and a 2032 second-round pick. The Nuggets will waive Reese, and draft picks in the 2030s aren’t helping the Nuggets win now.
Jokic has no plans to extend his contract, despite his ability to become an unrestricted free agent next summer if he declines a $62.8 million player option. He keeps saying he wants to stay in Denver, but that may change if the Nuggets aren’t serious title contenders.
The Nuggets traded Watson to save money. They are still $2 million over the second apron with questionable depth on their roster. Their biggest offseason additions are Marvin Bagley III and Lonnie Walker IV. Not exactly difference-makers in a title-contending roster. Things are headed south in Denver, and Luka Doncic gives the Lakers a serious chance to steal the Joker if he ever decides to change teams.
Lakers odds of landing Nikola Jokic keep improving
Los Angeles got a game-changing center in a sign-and-trade this summer. They have no reason to regret landing Walker Kessler, but this is Jokic we are talking about. The Lakers are always chasing stars and figure to be near the top of the three-time MVPs list if he decides to move on.
The Nuggets were bounced in the first round of the playoffs and haven’t upgraded their roster. Many think they will try to dodge the second apron by trading out more salary. Sam Quinn was quick to declare their title window closed after trading away Watson.
I'm calling it. Denver's championship window. Time of death: August 19th, 2026.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) August 20, 2026
Yossi and I are podding on the Peyton Watson trade. Shocker: I think it's a terrible move for the Nuggets.https://t.co/a2PbguwSf5
Jokic is one of the best to ever play. He doesn’t want to finish his career with one NBA championship. Since winning the title in 2023, Denver has won just two playoff series and is clearly trending in the wrong direction. They can’t trust Aaron Gordon to stay healthy. The Nuggets overpaid Christian Braun, and Joker keeps pushing back his extension. The pressure is on the organization to prove they are serious title contenders, but they aren’t doing it.
ESPN gave the Nuggets a D grade for the Watson trade. It wasn’t just Sam Quinn. The consensus was against Denver at a time when they must upgrade their roster to keep Jokic happy.
The odds of the three-time MVP leaving the Nuggets increased. He wants to be a Nugget for life, so Lakers fans should bet the house on landing him. Things can change quickly in the NBA. If Denver struggles again this season, Jokic may look to move on next summer. It would take a sign-and-trade to get him to Los Angeles, but the Lakers would happily make that move.
Fans are loving the rival Nuggets’ struggles. The second apron era has wreaked havoc on every recent champion. The Celtics have already completely retooled around Jayson Tatum. Oklahoma City traded Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe this offseason to dodge the second apron. Even the Knicks had to let Mitchell Robinson walk to stay under the dreaded line. Denver is feeling that same pain, and it is opening the door for Jokic to want out.
The Los Angeles Lakers would love to pair Luka Doncic with Nikola Jokic for years to come. The superstars have talked about playing with each other. Jokic has always welcomed the idea of it happening in Denver, so things are even more likely if he is the one who wants to move on. Do not rule it out, especially as the Nuggets keep getting worse.
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