The Lakers’ Quiet Offseason Isn’t A Mistake—It’s A Calculated Gamble To Land Nikola Jokic And Maybe Luka Doncic Too

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2025 offseason was met with widespread confusion and criticism. In an era when franchises scramble to make headlines with blockbuster trades or splashy free agent signings, the Lakers chose stillness. No big-name additions. No flashy news conference. Just silence.

But according to league insiders and recent developments, that silence may be the loudest statement of all.

Behind the scenes, sources familiar with the Lakers’ long-term planning say the franchise is executing a bold, calculated strategy: preserving salary cap flexibility to make a run at two of the biggest stars in the game—Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić. The reigning MVP and his European counterpart, who also happens to be one of the NBA’s most electrifying guards, may be the centerpieces of the Lakers’ next superteam.

Jokić, currently under contract with the Denver Nuggets, will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027. While Denver remains confident about re-signing their generational big man, recent comments from within the organization have added a layer of uncertainty. Nuggets president Josh Kroenke didn’t shy away from addressing the elephant in the room during a recent media availability.

“We know that nothing lasts forever,” Kroenke said. “Nikola’s happiness is everything to us, but this is a business. If he ever decides to explore a different chapter, we’ll respect that.”

That wasn’t just any statement—it was a subtle signal that Denver is preparing for all outcomes, including the possibility of their franchise cornerstone walking away.

Compounding the intrigue, Jokić quietly turned down a contract extension earlier this year, choosing instead to play out the next two seasons. While many players decline extensions for financial or strategic reasons, the move raised eyebrows. This is, after all, a player who has never expressed a deep desire to chase legacy in the traditional sense. He doesn’t seek endorsements. He’s rarely in the spotlight off the court. But what if, just once, he wanted to control the narrative?

Enter the Lakers.

According to cap analysts, the Lakers are set up to have at least one max salary slot in the summer of 2027. That’s not by accident. In fact, one front office insider noted that every contract decision over the past year—including one-year deals and short-term vet minimums—was made with that very summer in mind.

“The Lakers are playing the long game,” said a league source. “They’re preparing for 2027 the way teams used to prepare for 2010, when LeBron, Bosh, and Wade hit the market. And the centerpiece of that plan is Jokic.”

But why stop there?

Dončić, the Mavericks’ do-everything star and Jokić’s fellow Serbian speaker, is widely known to be close friends with the reigning MVP. The two train together during the offseason, vacation together with their families, and have often shared mutual admiration publicly.

While Dončić is under contract with Dallas through 2029, NBA contracts are fluid. Player movement often comes long before a deal officially ends. If Dončić were to grow disillusioned with Dallas’ direction—something that has happened before—he could request a trade or push for an early exit. There are already whispers around the league that his long-term future in Texas isn’t guaranteed.

Now imagine the possibility of Jokic and Dončić teaming up under the bright lights of Los Angeles. For Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, that scenario might represent the ultimate culmination of patience and planning.

“There’s a chessboard mentality here,” said an NBA executive familiar with the Lakers’ cap sheet. “They’re sacrificing wins today for generational dominance tomorrow.”

The plan—if it comes to fruition—would mark the most ambitious swing the Lakers have taken since luring LeBron James and Anthony Davis to Southern California. That duo brought the franchise a championship in 2020. But since then, it’s been a mixed bag of injuries, roster reshuffling, and playoff disappointment.

And now, LeBron’s era appears to be nearing its end.

The four-time MVP has not been offered a contract extension beyond this season, a decision many read as the front office signaling a new chapter. Though James remains productive, the Lakers are clearly looking to reset their identity. Preserving cap flexibility in the name of youth and future stardom is a path that could reinvigorate the brand, restore championship expectations, and electrify the fanbase.

Even former players are taking notice.

“I see what they’re doing,” said one retired Laker. “It’s smart. Let the league sleep on you for a few years. Then hit them with something nuclear.”

It’s also worth noting that the Lakers’ front office hasn’t exactly tried to silence the speculation. Several local media members with team ties have dropped vague hints in recent months about “a bigger plan” coming down the line. One report went as far as to say that Jokic is “firmly on the radar” for 2027.

All of this is happening while other franchises around the league chase wins with a sense of urgency. The Lakers, however, appear to be chasing legacy—and are willing to wait for it.

But, of course, no grand plan comes without risk.

There’s no guarantee Jokic will leave Denver. The Nuggets have built a championship culture around him. They’ve tailored every piece of the roster to his strengths, and they remain annual contenders. If Jokic is content with his legacy there, the Lakers’ plan may unravel before it ever begins.

Then there’s Doncic. Despite the Mavericks’ rollercoaster seasons, he’s still the face of their franchise. Convincing him to force a move or walk away is no small feat. And even if both stars became available, there’s no guarantee they’d both choose L.A.

Still, the Lakers are betting on the power of their brand. On history. On banners. On palm trees and prime-time lights. And in many ways, they’re betting on the relationships between players—something that has driven more superstar movement in the last decade than any single franchise’s offer sheet.

Jokic and Dončić, together in Los Angeles, would represent a new dynasty—a European one—built not on flash, but on feel, finesse, and friendship. It would mark the first time two international players, both MVP-caliber, teamed up in the league’s most storied uniform.

For now, it’s all just whispers, cap projections, and theory.

But remember how it started in 2018?

LeBron’s move to L.A. was written off as a Hollywood vanity project—until it wasn’t. A year later, Anthony Davis arrived. A year after that, the bubble title.

The Lakers have always worked in phases. And this, it seems, is phase one of the post-LeBron era.

Don’t mistake their silence for surrender.

They may just be holding their breath for the biggest moment in franchise history.

A moment that could arrive in the summer of 2027, with two plane tickets—one from Denver, one from Dallas—landing in LAX.