The NBA’s rumour mill is heating up again, and this time, it involves one of the league’s brightest stars — Luka Dončić. A recent report has sent shockwaves across the league, suggesting that a prominent NBA executive believes a recent NBA champion poses the biggest threat to the Los Angeles Lakers’ hopes of ever luring the Slovenian sensation to Hollywood.
Dončić, who has been the face of the Dallas Mavericks since entering the league in 2018, led his team to the NBA Finals in 2024, proving his status as a generational talent. Despite falling short to the Boston Celtics, his playoff performances reignited interest from multiple franchises hoping to sway him away from Dallas in the future.
While the Lakers have long been linked with Dončić — largely due to their glamorous market, rich history, and potential to build another super team — an executive told Heavy Sports that another team might be better positioned to acquire him: the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets, 2023 NBA champions, boast a winning culture, elite roster depth, and most importantly, reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokić — a fellow European and one of Dončić’s idols. According to the executive, the Nuggets’ continuity, Serbian-Slovenian chemistry potential, and unselfish style of play make them the most attractive non-Dallas destination for Dončić.
From a roster standpoint, the Nuggets offer something the Lakers may not: stability. Denver’s front office, led by Calvin Booth, has maintained a core of Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr., and has fostered a culture of trust and development. For a player like Dončić — who has often shouldered excessive offensive burden in Dallas — the chance to play alongside Jokić and a structured team could be a game-changer.
The Lakers, on the other hand, are navigating uncertain terrain. LeBron James is nearing the end of his career, and while Anthony Davis remains elite, injury concerns persist. LA also faces financial constraints and lacks the draft assets or young pieces to realistically offer a compelling trade package for Dončić in the short term.
The executive also emphasized Dončić’s European roots and his admiration for Jokić’s game. The idea of the two megastars joining forces would be seismic, both competitively and commercially. “If Luka ever asks out, Denver will be in the conversation,” the executive stated. “They have the pieces, the coach, and the superstar who could actually convince him to come.”
Of course, this remains speculative. Dončić is under contract with the Mavericks through the 2026–27 season, and there’s no concrete indication he wants out. Still, the Mavs must continue building a contender around him to avoid future discontent.
For Lakers fans, the idea of missing out on Dončić — particularly to a Western Conference rival like Denver — is a tough pill to swallow. But until Dončić becomes a free agent or formally requests a trade, all talks remain hypothetical.
Still, in a league where player movement is rapid and loyalty is rare, executives around the NBA are watching closely. And if Dončić does become available, the Nuggets — not the Lakers — may be the dark horse wit
h the inside track.
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