Lakers Reportedly Eyeing Nikola Jokic to Pair With Luka Doncic
Jokic put up 27.7-12.9-10.7 last season and holds a $62.8M option for 2027-28. The Lakers are said to be 'dead-set' on landing him.
Still the No. 1 fantasy asset in the league regardless of jersey.
- 27.7 pts, 12.9 reb, 10.7 ast in 65 games (2025-26)
- 62.1 fantasy pts/game last season (2025-26)
- $62.8M player option for 2027-28
- Denver: 2 playoff series won in 3 seasons
- Our No. 1 overall fantasy rank (center)
Here's a rumor with legs: the Lakers are reportedly "dead-set" on acquiring Nikola Jokic once their ownership picture settles, according to Lakers insider Anthony F. Irwin. The pitch writes itself — pair the three-time MVP with Luka Doncic, two close friends who already teamed up on Doncic's All-Star squad back in February.
The fuel here is Jokic's contract situation. He's held off on signing an extension and has hinted he'll make a call on his future next summer. He'll be 31 this season, with a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28 capping the five-year, $276.1 million deal he signed after Denver's 2023 title. That's a lot of runway for uncertainty.
Why Denver Is Sweating
The championship glow has faded fast. The Nuggets have won just two playoff series over the last three seasons and got bounced by Minnesota in the first round last spring. Denver's decision to move on from assistant Watson has been read by some as short-sighted cost-cutting — exactly the kind of move that makes a franchise cornerstone start eyeing exits.
None of this is a done deal. Jokic hasn't demanded anything, the Lakers' ownership situation isn't resolved, and Denver has every incentive to keep the best player in basketball. But when a top-five talent goes quiet on an extension, the vultures circle. This is that.
The Fantasy Angle
For fantasy purposes, take a breath. Jokic is our No. 1 overall player, and he posted a 62.1 fantasy points per game average last season (2025-26) on the back of a 27.7-12.9-10.7 triple-double line across 65 games. His last five games ran about 1.7 fantasy points below his season average — noise, not a trend. A move to a Doncic-led Lakers offense might shave a couple of assists off his ceiling, but it wouldn't touch his floor as a first-round lock.
Bottom line: hold, and hold tight. Trade chatter doesn't change the fact that Jokic is the safest elite asset in any format. If a nervous manager in your league floats a discount because of the drama, that's your window to buy — but you're not selling this guy for anything short of a king's ransom.
