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There’s no doubt that having a productive 2026 offseason is the Los Angeles Lakers’ primary goal at the moment.
So far, so good for Los Angeles thus far, as it’s already re-signed star guard Austin Reaves and appears prepared to aggressively pursue various wings and frontcourt studs that could help it reach a new level in 2026-27 and beyond.
However, a new report has made it challenging for Lakers fans to focus on the present. Why? The Denver Nuggets’ generational three-time MVP, Nikola Jokic, could delay his contract extension with the franchise, making him a free agent in 2027.
If that occurs, CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn believes that the Lakers and Golden State Warriors could land him in an earth-shattering move.
“But realistically, were Jokic to move, it would probably come through free agency, and if that's the case, we'd probably know where he's headed,” Quinn wrote last Saturday. “It's time to talk about the Lakers. The next few weeks are going to be very, very telling.
“If they hand out multi-year deals, they kill their potential 2027 cap space. If they have any inkling whatsoever that Jokić is gettable, though, they are prioritizing maintaining an open 2027 balance sheet. This would probably mean operating above the salary cap and bringing last year's roster back on inflated one-year deals while they buy time ahead of free agency.”
“Could other cap space suitors emerge? Absolutely. Golden State's books are almost entirely blank beyond this season, and while he's a good deal older than Doncic, almost anyone would love the chance to play with Stephen Curry.”
With LeBron James’ retirement coming in the near future, beginning a new era of Lakers basketball led by Doncic, Jokic, and Reaves would be a dream scenario for the 17-time NBA champions.
Defensively, the trio would be far from elite, but electric offensive contributions would allow them to boast a three-headed monster that opponents would struggle to contain nightly.
Doncic’s pick-and-roll/isolation brilliance, Reaves’ polished off-the-dribble playmaking, and Jokic’s otherworldly distribution chops as a point center, combined with his bruiser-like low-post approach and pick-and-pop ability, would be a match made in heaven.
From the Warriors’ standpoint, signing Jokic next offseason would serve as an emergency move if they strike out on all their superstar targets this summer and don’t move any closer to securing a championship in 2026-27.
Curry still has another title run left in him, but it’ll be up to the Warriors to do their part to help their future Hall of Fame point guard achieve his significant later-career goal.
Needless to say, Jokic’s contract extension decision will have major implications on his NBA future.
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