Los Angeles Lakers Quietly Saving Cap Space for 2027 Free Agency With Eyes Locked on Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic Duo

Nikola Jokić is one of the most unique superstars the NBA has ever seen—two-time MVP, NBA champion, Finals MVP, and arguably the most unselfish big man in basketball history. He’s under contract with the Denver Nuggets through the 2026-27 season, but according to multiple sources, Jokić is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027. That might feel far away, but the NBA’s savviest front offices are already setting the stage—and the Los Angeles Lakers are leading that charge.

It might look like just another quiet offseason in L.A., but beneath the surface, it’s anything but. After re-signing some key pieces and staying away from major splashes, the Lakers’ 2025 summer plan now appears to be an exercise in long-term positioning. The front office, led by general manager Rob Pelinka, is reportedly eyeing the summer of 2027 as a transformative moment for the franchise—and one player is clearly at the center of that blueprint: Nikola Jokić.

The signs are subtle but telling. According to league insider Mark Medina, “Everything the Lakers have done this offseason is about 2027. That’s not a coincidence. That’s about Jokić.” Multiple executives around the league have echoed similar sentiments: the Lakers are preserving cap space, avoiding long-term commitments, and putting themselves in a position to offer a max contract just as Jokić hits free agency.

It’s a bold gamble, no doubt. The Lakers are not alone in dreaming about adding Jokić, but what sets them apart is the growing belief that they may be laying a foundation not just for Jokić, but for a generational pairing. That’s where Luka Dončić comes into the equation.

The friendship between Jokić and Dončić is well-documented. The two European stars share a bond off the court that has deepened through international play, shared agents, and a similar love for the game. While Dončić is currently under contract with the Dallas Mavericks until 2027 (with a player option for 2028), chatter around the league suggests that if the right situation arises, he might be open to joining forces with Jokić elsewhere.

Could that place be Los Angeles?

It’s speculative—no one can predict the twists of the NBA’s soap opera—but the Lakers are reportedly prepared for exactly that scenario. Imagine it: Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić, arguably the two most complete offensive players in the world, anchoring one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises. For LeBron James, who could still be part of the team in a mentoring or ownership role by then, it would represent a passing of the torch to a new duo capable of contending for years.

The theory gained traction when Nuggets president Josh Kroenke made rare public comments that acknowledged the reality of star movement in today’s league. “No one is untouchable in this era,” Kroenke said. “We do everything we can to keep our stars, but it’s a different league than it was ten years ago.” The fact that Jokić declined the Nuggets’ offer of a contract extension, which could have locked him in long-term, has only added fuel to the fire.

Make no mistake: Denver still fully intends to keep Jokić. He’s the cornerstone of the franchise, and Kroenke’s front office has surrounded him with a strong supporting cast. But the Western Conference has become a battleground, and the Nuggets’ early playoff exit in 2025—after winning the title in 2023—has left some lingering questions. Jokić, ever the competitor, is rumored to be intrigued by the idea of playing in a bigger market or alongside a peer like Dončić.

That’s where the Lakers’ current maneuvering becomes more relevant. The team has opted to keep the books relatively clean heading into 2026 and 2027. Long-term contracts have been few and far between. While the team continues to develop young talent like Max Christie and still leans on Anthony Davis, they’ve refrained from committing massive money to veterans who won’t align with a 2027 window.

Lakers insiders also point to behind-the-scenes changes in the organization. The scouting and analytics departments have expanded, aligning with Jokić’s basketball IQ-first approach. The coaching staff has emphasized ball movement, spacing, and center-centric playmaking—something Jokić would immediately thrive in. Coincidence, or calculated design?

Even more intriguing: whispers around the league suggest that Jokić’s camp, while publicly noncommittal, is privately intrigued by the Lakers’ vision. Jokić has never seemed like a Hollywood star, but that’s part of the appeal for L.A.—to land a generational talent who elevates the brand not through flash but through substance. That, in many ways, is what LeBron brought. Jokić could be the next iteration.

And then there’s Dončić.

The Slovenian phenom has weathered several rocky seasons with the Mavericks, including coaching turnover, playoff letdowns, and questions about long-term roster construction. While Dončić has remained loyal publicly, frustration has brewed internally, according to people close to the team. A reunion with Jokić could be the ultimate draw—and Los Angeles, with its championship pedigree and commercial power, might be the only city with enough gravitational pull to make it happen.

Of course, this is still two years away. Anything could happen—Jokić could re-sign with Denver, Dončić could double down on Dallas, and the Lakers could strike out. But when viewed through the lens of what’s happened since 2024, the clues are stacking up.

LeBron James has hinted at taking a step back. The Lakers haven’t rushed to replace him with another alpha. They’ve been uncharacteristically patient in free agency. And their rumored interest in pairing Jokić and Dončić isn’t just fan fiction—it’s a whisper growing louder in NBA circles.

Could the 2027 Lakers become the most talented team of the next decade? Imagine the possibilities: Jokić orchestrating from the high post, Dončić carving defenses apart off the dribble, all under the bright lights of Crypto.com Arena. Add in smart depth pieces and the Lakers’ organizational resources, and the ceiling becomes championship-level from day one.

Denver, naturally, will do everything in its power to retain its franchise player. They’ve built around Jokić beautifully, and the Nuggets’ core remains one of the league’s most formidable. But if Jokić begins to question whether his peak years might be better spent chasing titles with a kindred spirit, the Lakers will be ready.

The countdown to 2027 has begun. If the whispers are true, Los Angeles isn’t just waiting—they’re orchestrating. Every move, every dollar, every roster decision is part of a longer play.

And if it ends with Jokić—and maybe Dončić—in purple and gold, it could be the biggest coup in franchise history.

For now, the league watches. The Lakers prepare. Jokić ponders. And the story of the 2027 NBA free agency might already be halfway written.