The Los Angeles Lakers may have landed Luka Doncic in a blockbuster trade last season, but the honeymoon could be short-lived.
According to a Western Conference executive, the franchise is already on thin ice, and the Denver Nuggets are quietly positioning themselves as a serious threat to steal the Slovenian superstar if L.A. stumbles again.
“The Lakers have to be careful,” the executive told ClutchPoints. “Luka just got his butt kicked by a team he handled easily last year, and now they’re telling him to wait another year before he can really compete. If Denver wins it all or comes close while Rob [Pelinka] makes it clear he doesn’t believe in Luka and LeBron as a combo, they could be a real threat for him this next season or two”.
While the Lakers are banking on a slow-build strategy—saving cap space for a 2026 or 2027 splash, the Nuggets are already in win-now mode. They’ve retooled their roster with savvy moves, trading Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson and adding veterans Jonas Valanciunas, Bruce Brown, and Tim Hardaway Jr. on team-friendly deals. The result? One of the most balanced and dangerous lineups in the league.
Denver’s pitch to Doncic is simple: stability, culture, and a chance to play alongside Nikola Jokic, a close friend and fellow European icon. The two have long admired each other’s games, and the idea of pairing them in the Mile High City is gaining traction among league insiders.
Doncic, 26, is eligible to sign either a three-year, $165 million extension or a four-year, $229 million deal with the Lakers. While L.A. remains optimistic, some sources suggest he may hold off until the franchise proves it can contend.
“He’s been there six months. What have the Lakers done so far to prove they’re the best team for him?” one insider asked.
The Lakers have made modest moves this summer, signing Deandre Ayton and retaining Jackson Hayes, but questions linger about LeBron James’ future and whether the Doncic-LeBron pairing is sustainable. LeBron turns 41 in December, and while still effective, his long-term fit is uncertain.
Doncic hasn’t publicly expressed frustration, and his agent has deep ties within the Lakers organization. But as he trains in Slovenia for EuroBasket, rival teams are watching closely. If L.A. fails to make a deep playoff run in 2025–26, the whispers could turn into full-blown recruitment pitches.
Denver already has the foundation. The Lakers are still drawing blueprints. And in a league where timing is everything, Luka’s patience may be the most valuable asset of all.
