With the Nuggets facing postseason pressure, talk is growing about whether the Lakers could target Nikola Jokic if extension plans stall.
One blockbuster scenario is making the rounds in NBA chatter: the Lakers landing Nikola Jokic if his next contract decision goes sideways.
As Misryoum follows the postseason drama, Denver’s path is suddenly less certain than it looked.. The Nuggets have been pushed to the brink after a series that has not gone according to plan. even with recent wins that kept their season alive.. At the same time. key availability issues on the other side have shifted the competitive landscape. raising the stakes for Denver to convert opportunity into advancement.
Insight: Contract uncertainty tends to magnify every on-court moment. When a team’s star is also its engine, early exits can quickly turn “wait-and-see” into high-stakes planning.
The larger storyline centers on what happens if Nikola Jokic does not commit to a long-term extension with Denver.. In that kind of scenario. the idea becomes less about what Jokic might want in theory and more about how teams protect their leverage in practice.. Misryoum notes that the NBA’s offseason often becomes a market of opportunity. and a player of Jokic’s stature would be difficult for any contender to ignore.
Supporters of this theory also point to fit, not just value.. Jokic’s reputation as a game-managing offensive centerpiece is the type of skill that can reshape a roster’s identity. especially for a team that thrives on star-driven half-court creation.. Pairing that kind of playmaking and scoring versatility with another high-usage talent is often viewed as a pathway to immediate title-level pressure.
Insight: Even without confirming any specific moves, the mere possibility can influence how rivals evaluate timelines. It changes the offseason calculus for teams that want to be competitive quickly.
For the Nuggets, the pressure is straightforward: keep winning, and give Jokic a clear reason to stay. Any trade framework would likely depend on protecting the franchise’s future, but the reality is that replacing what Jokic brings is about far more than filling a single roster spot.
Meanwhile, for the Lakers, the appeal is equally clear.. In postseason disappointment. franchises tend to search for upgrades that can alter outcomes immediately. and Jokic sits in the category of players who can do that on multiple levels.. Misryoum will be watching how Denver responds in the moments ahead. because the team’s next stretch could determine whether these trade conversations remain hypothetical or turn into something more concrete.
Insight: What matters most now is momentum. If the Nuggets seize it, the trade talk fades; if they don’t, the league’s offseason becomes a lot less predictable.