© Getty Images — Nikola Jokic and LeBron James

It seems nothing was accidental. Los Angeles Lakers fans began feeling a certain level of anxiety as no major signings came during the 2025-26 NBA free agency period. However, this silence may be part of a bigger plan — one that involves going after Nikola Jokic, but without LeBron James on the team.

After it was confirmed that LeBron opted into his player option to automatically secure $52.6 million for one more season with the Lakers, new information emerged suggesting the franchise may have quietly opened the door for his exit.

“Although Dorian Finney-Smith was a popular figure in the locker room and helped the Lakers go 14-6 in the 20 games he started during the regular season, L.A. exercised discipline in its negotiations to preserve cap space for 2027, when the team expects to have room to sign a max-salary free agent,” reported Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

With that strategy in mind, signs are pointing to a long-term financial plan to break the market in 2027 and bring in a superstar — and one of the first names that has surfaced is Nikola Jokic. His close friendship with Luka Doncic could play a key role in making that dream a reality.

Nikola Jokic and LeBron James. (Photo: Getty Images)

“The friendship between Jokic and Doncic is well established, and there are increasing rumors suggesting that the two could eventually team up. Seen from that perspective, everything surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers’ lack of movement during the 2025 preseason starts to make more sense.

Notably, Denver Nuggets president Josh Kroenke recently expressed the idea that Jokic might leave the team someday. And it’s also worth noting that Jokic has declined the Nuggets’ offer to extend his contract (…).

Of course, Jokic could still sign that extension next summer, which would render any long-term planning for him pointless — but the Lakers have heard the same stories about Luka and the ‘Joker’ as everyone else, and they’re planning accordingly,” reported journalist Mark Deeks.

Who Will Earn More in the 2025-26 NBA Season: LeBron or Jokic?

The difference isn’t huge. When the 2025-26 NBA season tips off on Tuesday, October 21, LeBron James will begin earning a $52.6 million salary with the Lakers, while Nikola Jokic will be paid $55.2 million by the Denver Nuggets.