Lakers receive positive update for landing Nuggets' Nikola Jokic after Peyton Watson trade image
The Los Angeles Lakers are beginning to build their future around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves after moving on from LeBron James. It has been an eventful summer, with significant turnover throughout the roster as Los Angeles looks to create a team capable of competing for championships.
Doncic is excited about what is ahead for the Lakers, but he also wants to win now.
“Dončić being just 26 gives the Lakers a far longer timeline to build a championship-contending team, but that doesn't mean they can slow down and take their time. Dončić told Lakers president Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick in May that he's not interested in taking the slow approach in building a contender,” CBS Sports’ Jasmyn Wimbish wrote.
On Wednesday, the Denver Nuggets traded Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a five-team deal. The move left Denver without one of its most promising young players and raised questions about the team's long-term direction alongside Nikola Jokic.
“Despite all of the accolades he's already piled up, Jokić is smack-dab in the middle of his prime. The 31-year-old has a mostly ground-bound game that should age relatively well. And his team basically just punted on the restricted free agency of its biggest and perhaps best upside bet,” Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey wrote.
For the Lakers, Jokic has been viewed as a potential target for some time. Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts believes the recent developments in Denver could be a positive sign for Los Angeles.
“The odds of the three-time MVP leaving the Nuggets increased. He wants to be a Nugget for life, so Lakers fans should bet the house on landing him. Things can change quickly in the NBA. If Denver struggles again this season, Jokic may look to move on next summer. It would take a sign-and-trade to get him to Los Angeles, but the Lakers would happily make that move,” Watts wrote.
If the Lakers were able to land Jokic, it would be a massive addition. Doncic and Jokic already have a strong relationship, and putting the two elite playmakers on the same team could completely transform Los Angeles' offense. Their ability to distribute the ball and create opportunities for teammates would make the Lakers extremely difficult to defend.
Jokic will play this season and ultimately determine what comes next for his future. Los Angeles will undoubtedly keep a close eye on his situation. If the Lakers could somehow pair Doncic, Reaves and Jokic, they would have another star-studded Big Three and could become one of the toughest teams to beat in the Western Conference.
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