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While the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors’ respective frontcourts are now set for the upcoming campaign, both franchises were linked to generational Denver Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic when there was speculation that he could delay a contract extension with Denver and potentially become a free agent in 2027.
On June 27, CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn listed the Lakers and Warriors as two of the few franchises that could express interest in Jokic next offseason if he were to become available. Considering the three-time MVP revealed his plan to hold off on an extension this summer, put pen to paper next summer, and ‘stay in Denver for the rest of life,’ Los Angeles and Golden State shouldn’t expect Jokic to reach the free agent market anytime soon.
That said, until Jokic puts his plan into motion, many will continue to envision different scenarios involving the future Hall of Fame big man. For the second time this offseason, Quinn linked Jokic to the Lakers and Warriors, giving fans a clear sense of whether either team has a realistic shot of landing the 30-year-old following his apparent contract decision.
“The two most desirable cap space destinations next offseason on paper were the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers,’ Quinn wrote Tuesday. “Both have spent their money on long-term additions, so it's not as though Jokic would have an easy exit in free agency next offseason.”
“If the Lakers in particular sensed Jokic was a realistic free-agent target, they likely would have done what they've done in prior offseasons and signed players to one-year deals in order to prioritize retaining 2027 cap space.”
“That they didn't suggest they don't view this as realistic either. There are less desirable suitors out there, like the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers, but neither meaningfully improves his long-term championship hopes.”
Essentially, Quinn doesn’t think the two Western Conference franchises are well-positioned to secure Jokic’s services in 2027, even if the possibility of him leaving Denver suddenly becomes more logical.
Although Kevon Looney is only guaranteed to compete with the Lakers for the 2026-27 campaign, Walker Kessler has quickly emerged as the franchise’s long-term starting center after landing with Los Angeles via a sign-and-trade. In other words, missing out on Jokic wouldn’t be the end of the Lakers, that is, if Kessler makes a significant splash in Year 1 and gives the organization hope for the future.
The Warriors are in a slightly different boat, as Kristaps Porzingis, who re-signed with the Dubs on a two-year, $40 million deal, is an injury-prone center who can no longer be depended on to finish a season unscathed.
Additionally, 40-year-old big man Al Horford has a bleak NBA outlook, and a high-upside young frontcourt contributor is likely to join the Memphis Grizzlies this summer after signing a three-year, $30 million offer sheet with the franchise as a restricted free agent.
Simply put, the stability isn’t there for the Dubs at the center position, making Quinn’s early July intel slightly more disappointing.
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