Nuggets Eye LeBron James to Pair With Nikola Jokic

Nuggets Reportedly Contact LeBron James

According to The Denver Post, the Nuggets have reached out to James to express interest in bringing him to Denver. The report, citing a league source outside the Nuggets organization, comes less than 24 hours after Charania reported that James plans to leave the Lakers following eight seasons with the franchise.

Denver joins a growing list of teams reportedly interested in the four-time NBA champion, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Although discussions remain in the early stages, the Nuggets have officially entered one of the NBA's biggest offseason storylines.

Denver Has Pursued LeBron Before

This isn't the first time the Nuggets have tried to lure James to Colorado.

According to The Denver Post, team president Josh Kroenke sent James a throwback Nuggets jersey during the 2018 free agency period before James ultimately chose the Lakers. Kroenke has also publicly described James as "a very dear friend."

That history makes Denver's reported interest less surprising, even if signing James would require navigating significant financial challenges.

Pairing LeBron With Nikola Jokic Would Be a Dream Scenario

The biggest reason Denver's reported interest has generated so much attention is the possibility of pairing James with Jokic. Jokic remains one of the NBA's most dominant players and perhaps its best passer, while James continues to perform at an elite level entering his 24th NBA season.

During the 2025-26 campaign, James averaged 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists while shooting 50.7% from the field. Adding one of the greatest players in NBA history alongside Jokic would immediately elevate Denver into the center of the championship conversation.

Whether the Nuggets can ultimately pull off the blockbuster remains to be seen, but their reported interest makes it clear they are exploring every opportunity to maximize Jokic's championship window.