The Los Angeles Lakers made a landmark move this past NBA season by acquiring Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline, signaling a strategic shift from building around LeBron James to focusing on Dončić as their new franchise cornerstone. With LeBron approaching 41 years old in December and being the oldest player in the NBA, the Lakers are moving away from pursuing immediate championships centered on James and instead preparing for a long-term future led by the younger star, Dončić, who is 15 years his junior.

While the team has lost a key role player in Dorian Finney-Smith, who recently signed a long-term deal with the Houston Rockets, the Lakers appear undeterred in their pursuit of marquee talent, particularly eyeing Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić as a transformational piece for their post-LeBron era.

Nikola Jokić’s Unique Position as an Elite NBA Player

This season‘s MVP awards went to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, but Nikola Jokić has consistently been among the league‘s best players for years. Despite not winning the top honor this year, Jokić has ranked in the top two of MVP voting for five consecutive seasons and posted career-best numbers, averaging 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. Notably, he became the first center and only the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double over a full season, while also shooting an impressive 41.7 percent from three-point range.

The Lakers have a history of pursuing and acquiring some of the most iconic players in the NBA, and Jokić fits their vision perfectly as the kind of transformative superstar they want to build around in the coming years.

Preparing for a Future Without LeBron James

LeBron James has dominated the NBA landscape for two decades, remaining a top attraction for fans and media alike. Although the Lakers have stated that James will stay with the team as long as he wants, recent contract decisions indicate a subtle shift in the organization’s priorities. James declined to opt out of his $52.6 million player option, avoiding the typical move of re-signing with a shorter deal that would give the Lakers more salary flexibility.

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin noted that the Lakers

“exercised discipline to preserve cap space for 2027,”

the year when Nikola Jokić will become an unrestricted free agent. This suggests that while James will complete the current season with Los Angeles, the franchise intends to focus on building a championship contender for the post-LeBron era, targeting the 2026-27 offseason as a pivotal moment for reshaping the roster.

Although there has been no formal discussion of a breakup from either party, rumors hint at the possibility of James wanting to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a complex trade scenario, adding further uncertainty to Los Angeles’ immediate future.

Strategic Plans Centered on Landing Nikola Jokić

The Lakers’ longer-term strategy appears to revolve around waiting until 2027 to pursue Jokić via free agency, accepting that Dončić’s early years in L.A. will overlap with James’, before fully committing to a new core. Their hope is that by then, the team can secure cap space and roster flexibility, positioning themselves to sign Jokić outright.

The plan includes making the play-in tournament in 2026 to maintain some competitive relevance while saving financial resources for the following year. If Denver struggles and Jokić becomes disgruntled, he could force a trade ahead of free agency, as many NBA stars do when dissatisfied with their current situation.

The hope that Jokić and Dončić’s relationship influences his choice to join the Lakers is strong, with Denver potentially receiving young players and draft assets in exchange. Austin Reaves’ relatively low cap hold as a free agent could allow the Lakers to absorb Jokić’s contract while paying Reaves over $30 million annually and retaining Dončić, who may sign a contract extension in August.

While this approach faces significant hurdles, including financial and logistical challenges, it follows a pattern seen throughout Lakers history with stars such as Anthony Davis, Pau Gasol, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Wilt Chamberlain—a franchise willing to chase game-changing talents in bold moves.

If the plan to acquire Jokić falters, the Lakers appear ready to pivot quickly to another superstar option like Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Denver Nuggets Monitor Luka Dončić’s Situation Closely

On the flip side, the Nuggets are also keeping a careful eye on Dončić, recognizing his talent and potential impact. While Dončić is reportedly not primarily focused on living in a large city like Los Angeles, Denver’s recent additions could deepen his ties there. The Nuggets hired former Dallas Mavericks guard JJ Barea as an assistant coach; Barea shares a strong bond with Dončić, similar to the past connection Dončić had with Lakers role player Dorian Finney-Smith.

This relationship dynamic could work in Denver’s favor should Dončić reconsider his future in L.A., particularly if the Nuggets develop their roster and draft assets further. Though Denver may lack the immediate draft compensation to pull off a major trade for Dončić, strategic moves in the next few years could shift that balance.

Current Roster Moves and Financial Landscape for the Lakers

As the Nuggets bolster their roster—trading Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 fully unprotected first-round pick for Cam Johnson, swapping Dario Šarić for Jonas Valančiūnas, re-signing Bruce Brown Jr., and adding Tim Hardaway Jr. on a veteran minimum contract—the Lakers have been active in their own right. They agreed on a deal for Jake LaRavia and secured the draft rights to Adou Thiero (No. 36) as a replacement for Finney-Smith.

The Lakers still have a gap at the center position, which they could fill through free agency or a trade, with potential targets including Walker Kessler, Nick Richards, Nikola Vučević, and Robert Williams III. However, most of these candidates come with short-term deals, contrasting with Brooklyn Nets center Nicolas Claxton’s hefty three-year contract valued at $69.4 million, which likely does not fit with the Lakers’ long-term plan.

Despite skepticism from some observers, the Lakers’ management remains focused on maneuvering the roster to support the possibility of a blockbuster shift centered on Dončić and potentially Jokić or another superstar.

With LaRavia’s starting salary factored in, the Lakers project having approximately $8 to $8.5 million in their non-taxpayer mid-level exception. If they waive Shake Milton’s fully non-guaranteed $3 million contract, the team could also utilize the $5.1 million bi-annual exception to reach a 14-player roster. However, they face a hard salary cap at the $195.9 million first apron, meaning any additional signings or trades will need careful financial structuring.

The Lakers might consider moving players such as Maxi Kleber, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, or Dalton Knecht to free salary cap space and increase flexibility. Still, their willingness to add significant salary will likely hinge on how these moves position them to chase Jokić or another top star when the opportunity arises.