REPORT: Lakers Eyeing NBA Superteam by Pairing Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic in Hollywood Before 2027 Free Agency Window

The Los Angeles Lakers, a franchise never shy about chasing basketball immortality, are reportedly planning a blockbuster vision that could redefine the NBA landscape. According to multiple league insiders and front office whispers, the Lakers have set their sights on an almost mythic pairing — bringing together Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić in Los Angeles.

It sounds outlandish at first glance. The reigning MVP in Jokić and one of the most dynamic offensive forces in Dončić — both still in their primes — teaming up in purple and gold? And yet, when you peel back the layers of the Lakers’ recent transactions, roster decisions, and cap flexibility moves, the pieces are beginning to align in a way that suggests something massive is in the works.

For starters, it’s no secret that Jokić will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027. Despite his deep ties to Denver — both emotionally and professionally — sources say the Lakers believe there is a window to make a compelling pitch. Part of that pitch reportedly revolves around the idea of forming an all-European super-duo with his close friend, Luka Dončić. The Dallas Mavericks star has a player option for the 2026-27 season, which many now suspect he may decline to become an unrestricted free agent himself.

NBA insiders have long discussed the relationship between Dončić and Jokić. The two stars share a bond that extends beyond the hardwood — they’ve vacationed together, openly praised each other’s games in interviews, and even hinted at someday wanting to team up. One executive familiar with both players described their friendship as “genuine, loyal, and based on shared vision,” adding, “If there’s one player Jokić would consider leaving Denver for, it’s Luka.”

So how do the Lakers fit into all this? The answer lies in what they haven’t done.

This offseason, the Lakers made headlines not for who they signed, but for who they didn’t. Rather than chase big-name free agents or lock themselves into expensive multi-year deals, the team has been extraordinarily disciplined. LeBron James was not extended beyond this season. D’Angelo Russell’s future remains unclear. Austin Reaves — while beloved by fans — is viewed as a movable piece. And the team made no effort to chase the high-risk, high-reward contracts that typically define their summers.

That restraint, some now believe, is a strategic reset.

A league source close to the Lakers front office told The Athletic that the team has a “clear vision of the cap sheet post-2026.” In that vision, a maximum of two supermax slots are opened. The numbers match up almost exactly with what would be required to sign both Dončić and Jokić. Further, Lakers vice president Rob Pelinka has privately emphasized the need for “long-term flexibility,” even if it means short-term mediocrity.

Of course, the Lakers will need to navigate the delicate balancing act of remaining competitive enough to attract stars while clearing the decks for what would be the biggest free agency swing in franchise history. That likely means avoiding multi-year commitments that would stretch into the summer of 2026 and 2027. It could also explain why the Lakers were hesitant to offer Rui Hachimura a rich extension or why Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent’s names have surfaced in trade rumors — both are under contract through 2026.

The key to all of this might be timing — and patience. The Lakers are betting on the allure of Los Angeles, the weight of their historic brand, and the deep friendship between Dončić and Jokić. Their pitch to Dončić will likely begin before his player option decision. If Dončić shows any interest in moving on from Dallas, the Lakers are reportedly ready to make him the centerpiece of their next era. That, in turn, becomes their appeal to Jokić — who has done everything possible in Denver but may seek a new challenge with someone he trusts implicitly.

Could it really happen?

Some believe the odds are better than they appear. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently hinted on NBA Today that Dončić is “not untouchable” in Dallas. “If the Mavericks don’t keep winning at a high level, you have to start thinking about Luka’s long-term happiness,” Windhorst said. Meanwhile, Jokić’s exit interview after the 2024-25 season had an unusually reflective tone. “I love Denver. But the game is about evolving. You never know where life takes you,” he said.

That kind of language, even if vague, has caught the attention of agents and front offices alike.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that Dončić recently signed with WME Basketball — the same agency representing multiple Lakers players. That agency, guided by Bill Duffy, has a long history of orchestrating star pairings. Jokić, for now, remains with BDA Sports Management — also founded by Duffy. Could that be another quiet breadcrumb?

If the Lakers are able to land just one of the two stars, it would reshape the Western Conference. But landing both would create a seismic shift not seen since the Miami Heat joined LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in 2010. The idea of Dončić controlling the offense with Jokić orchestrating from the elbow could produce an entirely new style of basketball — one grounded in IQ, vision, and unselfish brilliance.

Skeptics argue the plan is too risky. After all, building around a future that may never arrive is the kind of gamble that could leave the Lakers stranded in NBA purgatory. One rival GM told Yahoo Sports, “I don’t doubt the Lakers have mapped out a dream scenario. But if they strike out, they’ll be looking at years of rebuilding with no LeBron, no picks, and no stars.”

Still, for a franchise built on bold moves — from Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem to Shaq and Kobe, and more recently LeBron and Anthony Davis — the risk may be worth it.

“There are only so many players in the world who can change a franchise overnight,” a Western Conference scout said. “Dončić and Jokić are two of them. Getting one is rare. Getting both would be the biggest move in NBA history.”

For now, the pieces remain theoretical. But insiders maintain that the Lakers’ every move — or non-move — is part of a bigger chess match. And while 2027 might seem far off, those inside the NBA know the future often arrives faster than expected.

One player agent summed it up best: “If Luka opts out and the Lakers make him feel wanted, the dominoes begin. The rest could write itself. This is the Lakers. This is what they do.”

And if they pull it off, we may someday look back at this quiet offseason as the moment when Hollywood plotted its next basketball blockbuster.