Nikola Jokic isn’t just the heart and soul of the Denver Nuggets – he’s also one of the most dominant players the NBA has seen in the last decade. A champion, three-time MVP, and owner of historic stats, the Serbian center is coming off a season in which he averaged nearly 30 points, 13 rebounds, and over 10 assists per game – a simply monstrous level of play.
While all signs point to Denver continuing to build its roster around him, recent comments from team president Josh Kroenke have left many fans wondering. Kroenke reaffirmed his full commitment to Jokic, but also acknowledged that “in the NBA, you can’t rule out any scenario.” That one sentence was enough to ignite speculation.
On Tuesday, Denver Post journalist Bennett Durando reported that Jokic has informed the Nuggets he won’t sign a contract extension this offseason. While that might sound concerning, there’s actually a very logical reason behind it: if Jokic waits until the summer of 2026 to re-sign, he could secure nearly $80 million more thanks to the projected rise in the salary cap.
Still, that technical detail didn’t stop Lakers fans from letting their imaginations run wild. Social media quickly filled with posts envisioning Jokic in purple and gold. For many, his arrival would be the missing piece to once again dominate the league.
The reactions came fast. “Let the Lakers rumors begin,” one fan wrote on X. Another was more direct: “So he’s a Laker.” Some joked that if Jokic joins, LeBron James would win two more rings.
Others even paired him with Luka Doncic: “So he’ll be teaming up with Luka,” one user wrote. “Welcome home,” commented another, as if the signing were already official.
For now, there are no real signs that Jokic wants to leave Denver. All indications are that he’ll remain the focal point of the Nuggets. But in the NBA, nothing is ever certain. And until there’s a signature on paper, Lakers fans – and fans of other teams – will keep dreaming.
