The Los Angeles Lakers could eventually set their sights on Nikola Jokic once the franchise resolves its ownership situation, according to team insider Anthony F. Irwin.
Irwin wrote Thursday that, “if/when the Lakers get their ownership situation figured out, a lot of the organization’s eyes are going to be dead-set on Denver,” while questioning whether the Nuggets can continue adding complementary young talent during Jokic’s championship window.
The report does not indicate that Jokic has requested a trade or that Denver is currently willing to move him. Instead, it points to the Lakers potentially monitoring Denver’s long-term situation while the franchise awaits resolution of its ownership transition.
The 31-year-old Serbian superstar is entering the fourth year of a five-year, $276 million contract with a player option for the final year. He is expected to sign Nuggets extension next summer.
Jokic remains one of the NBA’s most productive players entering his age-31 season. In 2025-26, he averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists in 65 games while shooting 56.9% from the field and 38.0% from three-point range.
He finished second in MVP voting for the second consecutive season and earned another All-NBA First Team selection. Jokic has now averaged a triple-double in assists and rebounds in two straight seasons, producing 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists in 2024-25 before following it with 27.7, 12.9 and 10.7.
Denver finished 54-28 in 2025-26, good for third in the Western Conference, but its postseason ended with a 4-2 first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Irwin specifically referenced Peyton Watson when discussing Denver’s challenge. The underlying question is whether the Nuggets can continue finding and developing affordable contributors while maintaining a roster capable of contending during Jokic’s prime.
For the Lakers, the connection would be especially significant because of Luka Doncic. Doncic averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists in 64 games last season, earning All-NBA First Team honors and finishing fourth in MVP voting as Los Angeles went 53-29.
The Lakers reached the Western Conference semifinals before being swept 4-0 by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their current roster construction is centered on Doncic, with Austin Reaves providing a second high-level scorer after averaging 23.3 points and 5.5 assists in 2025-26.
Irwin also pointed to the Lakers’ acquisition of Doncic as evidence that a lack of obvious assets does not necessarily prevent the franchise from pursuing an elite player. He wrote that the belief the Lakers had “no assets for Luka” was widely accepted before they ultimately landed him.
Any potential pursuit of Jokic would nevertheless depend on several developments that have not occurred. Denver would first have to become open to a deal, while the Lakers would need to construct an offer capable of satisfying the Nuggets and navigate the NBA’s salary-matching and roster-building rules.
