NBA Rumors: LeBron James Could End Up With the Denver Nuggets

LeBron James faces one of the most important summers of his career. As a free agent, the veteran player must decide whether to stay in Los Angeles with the Lakers, return to Cleveland to close the circle with the Cavaliers, opt for retirement, or surprise the entire NBA with an unexpected destination.

This last option is precisely what Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposes, placing LeBron alongside Nikola Jokic at the Denver Nuggets as a possible major move for the upcoming season.

According to Bailey, if James were truly willing to play for the minimum salary — something that, as he points out, the Cavaliers would also need to be able to incorporate him — teaming up with Jokic could become a very attractive option.

A Luxury Addition for Disappointing Nuggets

LeBron, despite his 41 years, continued to deliver a very high level during the 2025-26 season. Bailey believes that if he maintains a similar performance next season, his ability to generate game play would alleviate much of the offensive pressure on both Jokic and Jamal Murray.

Furthermore, his experience would serve as support for the entire roster. Denver, too reliant this year on players like Bruce Brown and Spencer Jones, would also gain explosiveness and offensive resources even if LeBron is no longer in his prime physical condition.

The Nuggets fell short of expectations this season. After finishing third in the West, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, their earliest exit since winning the championship in 2023.

Jokic and Murray, the Foundation of a New Project

Nikola Jokic continues to be considered one of the top two players in the world. Alongside him, Jamal Murray had one of the best campaigns of his career, being selected as an All-Star and averaging personal highs in almost every category: 25.4 points, 7.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and a 43.5% three-point shooting percentage. He also finished second in the MVP voting.

On the other hand, Jokic once again completed an extraordinary season. The Serbian averaged another triple-double with 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game, leading the league in both rebounds and assists. He also finished second in the MVP voting, an award he has already won three times.

Seven MVPs on the Same Team

LeBron's potential arrival would make the forward the third major reference on the team, also reducing the enormous physical burden he has had to bear in recent years and which would be particularly demanding at the age of 42.

Moreover, the combination of James and Jokic would bring together a total of seven MVP awards in the same squad: four for LeBron and three for the Serbian center.

Bailey believes the move would make sense for both the player and the Nuggets, who would seek a game-changer to try to dethrone the current Western Conference powerhouses: the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder.