Potential $270M Denver Nuggets Star Trade to Lakers: NBA Insider Evaluates Probability | Times of India NBA Update

The Los Angeles Lakers have previously managed to clinch high-profile trade deals, sparking speculation about more blockbuster moves. However, NBA Insider Dan Woike of The Athletic considers a trade for Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić highly unlikely. On February 2, the Lakers made a significant trade deal, involving star player Luka Dončić, from the Dallas Mavericks. This success has fans speculating about another superstar deal, possibly for Jokic or championship-contender Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Woike asserts that within the Lakers organization, Jokic would be the player of choice. He also hints that the Lakers might reconsider their stance on the viability of three max players. However, he downplays the chances of a Lakers-Nuggets trade materializing, as the Lakers’ offer would likely be unable to compete against 28 other teams unless Jokic or Giannis expressed a clear desire to sign only with the Lakers in free agency.

Woike suggests that the free agency of 2027 could be a game-changer, highlighting that if either Jokic or Giannis tests the market that year, the Lakers could be serious contenders if Dončić evolves into the franchise centerpiece.

Meanwhile, the LA Lakers finished the 2024-25 season with a 50-32 record and placed third in the Western Conference. However, they were eliminated in the playoffs’ first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves. To bolster their credibility as a destination for marquee free agents, the Lakers need a stronger postseason performance in the next season. The team remains determined to secure another championship by this decade-end, banking on the presence of their star player Dončić.