As Nikola Jokic and Denver Nuggets fans figure out who’s going to be on the team next year, one unlikely candidate has risen up through various reports as the only player connected to Denver:
LeBron James.
After James shared with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday that he wouldn’t be returning to the team this year, many rumors and possible destinations started to pop up like wildfire. Namely, the Golden State Warriors were seen as the frontrunner for his services, followed by the two previous teams he’s played for: Cleveland and Miami.
But the Nuggets showed up unexpectedly yesterday as a long shot alternative from Brian Windhorst of ESPN, who stated during the day that the Nuggets could be one of the teams that would appeal to LeBron at the tail end of his career.
Windhorst doubled down in the Hoop Collective this morning. “If I were Denver, I would kick the tires.”
“If I were Denver, I’d kick the tires”@WindhorstESPN makes the case for LeBron James and the Nuggets pic.twitter.com/zp0eCHHcEo
— Adam Mares (@Adam_Mares) July 1, 2026
Well, it appears that the Nuggets have indeed kicked the tires. Bennett Durando of the Denver Post reported this afternoon that the Nuggets have reached out to LeBron James and his agency at Klutch Sports on a union in Denver.
The Nuggets have reached out to LeBron James to express interest in the 21-time All-NBA forward in free agency, a league source outside of the Nuggets told @DenverPost. https://t.co/teFkYKqBYf
— Bennett Durando (@BennettDurando) July 1, 2026
Durando iterates that the Nuggets have started a dialogue. How interested James is in joining up with Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and the rest of the Nuggets remains to be seen though.
The Nuggets previously reached out to James the last time he was an unrestricted free agent and changed teams back in 2018. Those conversations went nowhere, but Jokic and the Nuggets weren’t a true consideration back then before the Nuggets superstar truly became who he’s been.
Now, at the end of the road for James and with the Nuggets in a difficult position from a contractual and asset perspective, this is a pairing that makes far more sense than it did before. James has held tremendous respect for Jokic for a long time, and the Nuggets still have the foundations of a championship caliber core.
Of course, the way things have fared for the Nuggets the last three years, there’s need for an injection of energy as well. Without Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson truly available in the playoffs last April, the Nuggets folded in the first round against an undermanned Minnesota Timberwolves squad. Denver needs a jolt, and who better to provide energy, excitement, and leadership than the greatest player of all-time?
How would LeBron fit with the Nuggets? Well, it depends on who they end up keeping. If it’s basically everyone, then James would likely slot in at starting small forward in between Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic. Denver would figure out how to handle shooting guard with Christian Braun as the incumbent, Cam Johnson as the previous small forward, and Peyton Watson perhaps the best fit and a restricted free agent.
Beyond that, it would be about filling out the rest of the roster with as much capable depth as possible. Denver would likely have Julian Strawther, Zeke Nnaji, DaRon Holmes, Trevon Brazile, and Bryce Hopkins under contract, but they would need multiple ball handlers, another veteran forward, and perhaps a backup center.
Denver could make that happen though. A few free agents would surely express interest in playing next to LeBron and Jokic, two of the best setup men in NBA history.
It’s still exceptionally unlikely that LeBron James joins the Nuggets especially given Denver’s known consideration of ducking as much luxury tax responsibility as they deem necessary. Would that consideration change if LeBron was selling jerseys? Selling tickets? More national television games? Helping Denver go deeper into the playoffs?
If the Nuggets can leverage their relationships, they might have a chance here. On top of Josh Kroenke’s known relationship with LeBron, the superstar is also great friends with former teammate Jared Dudley, who’s the defensive coordinator on Denver’s coaching staff. Dudley was on the 2020 championship team as a veteran stabilizer. That matters.
Again, this is all fairly unlikely. LeBron is going into Year 23! He has plenty of relationships around the NBA with basically every team. If he wants a chance to win a title though, the Nuggets can offer what he’s seeking. They might even be the best offer.
Just not financially. The Nuggets would definitely want him to take a minimum contract. If that prevents them from making major cost cutting moves, perhaps James would consider it.