Anonymous executive names Nuggets as threat to land $215 million Lakers star

Jon Conahan

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Anonymous executive names Nuggets as threat to land $215 million Lakers star image

Mar 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the Denver Nuggets logo on the floor prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

With how loaded the Western Conference is, it was only fair to wonder heading into the offseason if the Denver Nuggets would ever have an opportunity to put together a good enough roster to win another championship. 

Having arguably the greatest player in the world, Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets always have a chance to win it all. That was evident during the 2025 playoffs, when they lost to the eventual champion, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in seven games. 

Had the Nuggets beaten OKC, there was a real chance for them to win it all. 

The Nuggets brought in multiple high-level role players during the offseason, but one can wonder if, eventually, Jokic will need another second star to play with him. 

Jamal Murray is very good, but he's arguably not what some of the other top second options in the NBA are. 

According to a recent report from Benedetto Vitale of ClutchPoints, an anonymous NBA executive believes the Nuggets will have an opportunity to find one in the near future with current Los Angeles Laker star Luka Doncic. 

MORE: Two-time NBA champion could give Nuggets desired frontcourt depth

"The Lakers have to be careful,” an anonymous Western Conference executive said. “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.”

The idea of pairing Doncic and Jokic together is certainly enticing, considering they’re arguably the best two offensive players in the NBA. Still, it also raises a big question on the defensive side of the basketball. 

Ultimately, if the Nuggets had a chance to add a player of Doncic’s caliber, it feels safe to say they’d at least give it a chance.

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Jon Conahan

Jon Conahan is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. A 2022 Penn State University graduate who majored in journalism, he was also a member of the school's D1 baseball team. His work has been featured on Sports Illustrated, Heavy and other outlets. Jon makes home in North Jersey, but also resides in Cape Coral, Florida, for parts of the year. He’s an avid fan of the New York Yankees, Miami Dolphins and Milwaukee Bucks.