Speculation has intensified around Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets following a discreet gathering that included LeBron James, his business partner Maverick Carter, and Jokic’s agent Misko Raznatovic. The meeting, which took place recently and was shared on social media, has fueled rumors about a potential international basketball league debuting in 2026 as well as the future direction of Jokic’s career.
The widely circulated photo showed Raznatovic alongside James and Carter on a yacht, accompanied by the caption:
The summer of 2025 is the perfect time to make big plans for the fall of 2026!
—Misko Raznatovic, Agent
This phrase, combined with the high-profile attendees, has ignited debates over LeBron James’s next move after he exercised his $52.6 million player option for the upcoming NBA season, widely believed to be his last with the Los Angeles Lakers. Industry insiders have suggested that if James departs Los Angeles, the Denver Nuggets are a strong contender to secure him given their competitive roster and salary cap flexibility.
For the Nuggets, the meeting has introduced uncertainty concerning Jokic’s long-term commitment. The franchise, structured heavily around its three-time MVP, could face a pivotal moment regarding its core star’s future plans. Though many assumed the discussion was centered solely on NBA futures, sources close to the situation indicate the focus may extend to the creation of a groundbreaking global basketball league, potentially launching in the fall of 2026 with backing from James and Carter. Jokic’s exact role in the project, whether as an investor or partner, remains unclear.
Insights into Jokic’s personal interests and NBA future
Jokic’s former teammate DeMarcus Cousins recently shared a conversation hinting at Jokic’s desire to consider retirement after his current contract ends. Cousins said,
I honestly think [Nikola Jokic] might retire after this contract,
a sentiment that reveals the center’s mindset toward his basketball career.
Jokic has expressed a strong longing to return to his native Serbia to tend to his prized horses, stating,
He said, ‘I just want to go lay in my valley with my horses.’
Cousins responded emphatically:
Man, you out your m, , , , mind! Sign the contract … Don’t jazz up on the $300 million, bro. Get more horses!
—DeMarcus Cousins, Former Teammate
His passion for harness racing is notable; in 2025, Jokic’s horse Demon Dell’Est caused an upset by winning Serbia’s prestigious Duzijanac harness race. Jokic’s emotional involvement was visible as he ran onto the track celebrating with champagne, lifted the winning driver, and even shed tears during the event.
This emotional investment in horse racing contrasts sharply with his relationship to basketball, which many analysts now describe as a “side gig.” One coverage even pointedly noted,
The NBA is just a side gig
, underscoring Jokic’s apparent detachment from his professional sport and fueling ongoing speculation about how long he will remain with the Nuggets.
Prospects of a new global basketball league
The reported plans for an international basketball league backed by LeBron James and Maverick Carter could reshape the global basketball landscape starting in 2026. This initiative might offer players alternate or supplementary platforms beyond the NBA, attracting top talent and investors worldwide.
Jokic’s potential involvement as a stakeholder could elevate the league’s profile and provide an avenue aligning with his personal interests outside the NBA framework. Meanwhile, Denver’s franchise stability may hinge on how both Jokic’s career and this new league evolve in the coming years, marking a critical juncture for one of the NBA’s most dominant teams.