BREAKING NEWS: Nikola Jokić reportedly poised to join Lakers after meeting with LeBron James and agent in France, league insiders
League sources indicate that Nikola Jokić is expected to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers following a high‑profile meeting in France involving LeBron James and Jokić’s agent, sparking speculation of a seismic offseason move. Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke, in a press conference last month, warned that injuries combined with salary cap constraints could create “a scenario that I never want to contemplate” — trading their franchise cornerstone, wearing No. 15 .
The France Meeting
Reports confirm that Jokić’s agent Miško Ražnatović was recently seen aboard a yacht in Saint‑Tropez, France, alongside LeBron James and business partner Maverick Carter. The Instagram post, captioned “The summer of 2025 is the perfect time to make big plans for the fall of 2026!”, has heightened rumors that discussions surrounding Jokić joining the Lakers are underway .
Insiders characterize the gathering not as a casual social event, but as an indication of serious dialogue between parties exploring the possibility of Jokić teaming up with LeBron in Los Angeles.
Context from Kroenke’s Comments
In late June 2025, Nuggets president Josh Kroenke, unprompted, outlined a worst-case scenario where injuries under the NBA’s second salary‑cap apron could force Denver to consider trading Nikola Jokić, the team’s three‑time MVP and franchise icon. Kroenke stated:
“The wrong person gets injured and very quickly you’re in a scenario I never want to contemplate, and that’s trading No. 15”
He acknowledged that the organization was not necessarily afraid of entering the second apron financially, but made clear that rules around financial penalties combined with injury risks could lead to extreme decisions.
This comment was widely interpreted as damage control, with ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst asserting that although the scenario was mentioned, the team is not actually planning to trade Jokić. Windhorst emphasized that the real challenge for Denver lies in retaining supporting cast under tight salary constraints — not in trading its star
Why a Trade Now Makes Sense—or Doesn’t
🔄 Made Possible
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Lakers’ ambitions: After acquiring Luka Dončić earlier in 2025, the Lakers appear determined to build a super‑trio with LeBron, Dončić, and potentially Jokić .
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Ratings revival: The NBA is seeking to reverse viewership declines, and assembling marquee stars in L.A. would drive global eyeballs and boost interest .
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Contract flexibility: Jokić is eligible for a three‑year, ~$212 million extension arriving this summer. If negotiations stall, a trade emerges as a fallback.
🚫 Barriers in the Way
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Denver loyalty: Jokić has spent his entire career with the Nuggets and is widely expected to accept a contract extension and continue in Denver
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Financial calculus: Even if injury risk is real, trading Jokić would require including significant salary dumps and star-level assets — a heavy cost for any franchise.
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Public skepticism: Analysts like Windhorst and Shams Charania have emphasized that Kroenke “would never want to trade Jokić,” suggesting the comments were more hypothetical than strategic
Scenario Breakdown
The rumor, if true, would be one of the biggest trade stories in NBA history. Here’s how industry observers are interpreting the possible sequence:
| Phase | What’s happening | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| France meeting | LeBron, Carter, and Jokić’s agent meet in Saint‑Tropez | Fuels belief of active dialogue and possibility of mutual fit |
| Kroenke’s warning | Owner outlines injury-driven trade scenario publicly | Signals financial caution and basis for unsettling rumors |
| Trade rumors earlier | Reports earlier in 2025 linked Jokić to the Lakers after Malone’s firing | Precedent existed for speculation around Jokić’s dissatisfaction and Lakers interest |
| LeBron’s future | His contract expires in 2026; he has a no-trade clause | A move to Denver or elsewhere could be part of broader shifts in L.A. core decisions |
The Lakers’ Motivation
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LeBron’s playoff window: At age 40, James is entering the final stretch of his elite career. He wants to compete and maximize title runs. Jokić adds elite passing and scoring fit to drive the offense beyond LeBron and Luka .
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Reviving rivalries: A Jokić‑Luka‑LeBron setup could reignite the Lakers‑Celtics rivalry and fuel international interest, especially in European markets.
What This Means for Denver
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Strategic reset: Denver has already undergone front-office changes, firing coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth. Kroenke’s emphasis on financial caution may reflect internal instability and roster uncertainties .
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Injury exposure: The Nuggets have seen multiple key players sidelined — Westbrook, Gordon, Porter Jr., Braun — raising concerns about costly payroll liabilities .
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Fan reaction: Social media has been flooded with criticism following Kroenke’s comments, with fans calling the idea of trading Jokić “the worst possible thing an owner could say” .
Could It Actually Happen?
Observers caution that the story remains speculative:
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No trade request yet: Jokić has not publicly requested a move, and insiders believe he will stay in Denver .
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Complex trade: Lakers would need to include major assets in return — high-dollar salaries and draft picks. Whether Denver entertains such a deal is unclear.
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Player dynamics: LeBron’s existing no-trade clause means any trade would require his consent. Jokić would also need to approve since trades of max-contract players today typically involve player agreement in practice.
While nothing is official, the confluence of Kroenke’s unusual hypothetical warning and the France meeting between LeBron and Jokić’s agent has ratcheted up rumor credibility. If progress is being made behind closed doors, the2025–26 offseason could deliver the NBA’s most transformative move in years — an untouchable MVP joining forces with LeBron and Luka in Los Angeles.
Yet analysts warn that beyond speculation, Denver has repeatedly signaled its intent to keep Jokić, while the Lakers face complex financial and personnel challenges to make such a trade viable.
NBA fans, executives, and media are watching cautiously. If this rumor becomes reality, it would reshape the league’s power landscape and redefine modern super‑teams for a new era.
