Those who have been paying attention to the NBA for the past two decades are quite aware that nobody has generated more storylines in that time than LeBron James. Not only was the Akron native the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, he entered the league with expectations that he’d be the best player since the iconic Michael Jordan. Then, in his efforts to reach his idol’s level, James changed the business of basketball.
Of course, James is certainly not the first player to put pressure on a front office. He’s not the only one who has gone out of his way to team up with other great players. Nevertheless, the autonomy that he’s displayed has shown his peers that they’re more than just pawns.
With that in mind, James’s current situation speaks not only to where he is in his career, but what he’s become known for.
LeBron James Teases Team Up With Nikola Jokic
As of today, James is a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite him not reaching out to Deandre Ayton or Marcus Smart after Luka Doncic helped recruit them to L.A., that appears as if it’ll be the case when the 2025-26 season tips off. However, the Lakers aren’t the only team that the four-time NBA MVP is thinking about.
Indeed, league insiders are of the belief that James has had legitimate interest in playing for the Dallas Mavericks. As he’s expected to retire within the next two years, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been linked to James as well. To that point, James is an Ohioan who was drafted by the Cavs. He’s even spent more seasons (11) with the Cavs than any other franchise. In a similar vein, the Miami Heat –whom James won two championships with, including his first —are a potential option.
Even the New York Knicks, a team that he courted as a free agent in 2010, have been suggested.
The King and The Joker?
Following the latest offseason twist, James may not find himself with any of the aforementioned teams. In an Instagram post made by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic‘s agent (Misko Raznatovic) on Saturday, James and business partner Maverick Carter can be seen sitting together on a boat in Saint Tropez, France. The caption reads: “The summer of 2025 is the perfect time to make big plans for the fall of 2026!”
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As Jokic is expected to sign a rich contract extension with the Nuggets next summer, what does that mean for James?
Crazy Enough To Work?
James is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026, which should increase his future flexibility. Given his age, the days of him signing a maximum contract may be over. However, Denver will have $45.5 million worth of expiring contracts entering the 2026-27 season. Without sacrificing either Jamal Murray or Aaron Gordon, the Nuggets could potentially create a trade package that would satisfy the Lakers. At that point, all that needs to happen is for James and Jokic to sign off on it.
Perhaps it’s a pipe dream, but it’s just crazy enough to work.
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