'Big Plans for the Fall of 2026': LeBron James Sparks Denver Nuggets Rumors With Surprise Meeting

LeBron James’ surprise appearance in France alongside Nikola Jokić’s agent Miško Ražnatović and longtime business partner Maverick Carter has reignited speculation about the NBA star’s post-Lakers future. The three were photographed together on a yacht in Saint-Tropez, with Ražnatović’s cryptic Instagram caption reading: “The summer of 2025 is the perfect time to make big plans for the fall of 2026!”

The post quickly went viral, setting off a new wave of rumors about a potential LeBron–Jokić partnership in Denver, despite the logistical and financial hurdles that would come with such a move.

LeBron James Faces Uncertainty with the Los Angeles Lakers

James, entering his 23rd NBA season, opted into his $52.6 million player option for 2025–26, making it his final season under contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. He will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026.

The Lakers, meanwhile, have publicly shifted their long-term focus toward building around Luka Dončić. There’s little urgency to extend James into his 40s, which has only heightened curiosity about his next chapter—both on and off the court.

The Denver Nuggets, fresh off another playoff run, have limited financial flexibility but remain an intriguing destination due to their championship-caliber core centered around Jokić and Jamal Murray. For a deal to materialize, James would likely need to take a steep discount. Still, the optics of this meeting are hard to ignore.

Business Ties or Denver Nuggets Hint?

While the imagery and timing hint at basketball possibilities, several league insiders caution against jumping to conclusions. Ražnatović is a key power broker in European and international basketball, and Carter’s presence suggests the gathering may have involved broader ventures.

James has long maintained a desire to remain involved in the sports business after retirement and has already built an empire through SpringHill Company and other ventures. With the NBA exploring new international opportunities—including a possible European league—his involvement with a figure like Ražnatović could carry far-reaching implications.

Yet the fantasy of seeing two of the game’s most cerebral players sharing the court—one nearing the twilight of his career, the other in his prime—will continue to stir imaginations.

“The summer of 2025 is the perfect time to make big plans for the fall of 2026,” Ražnatović wrote. Until those plans are revealed, the basketball world will be watching.