Could Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić play together for the Los Angeles Lakers? An insider’s 2028 theory
Anthony Irvin says roster moves in Denver and Luka Dončić’s friendship with Nikola Jokić make a 2028 Lakers pairing conceivable, though no concrete plans exist.
NBA insider Anthony Irvin laid out a speculative scenario in which Nikola Jokić could end up with the Los Angeles Lakers and form a frontcourt pairing with Luka Dončić as early as 2028.
Speaking on the "Lakers Lounge Mailbag" podcast, Irvin framed his theory around recent roster moves by the Denver Nuggets and how those could alter Jokić's long‑term outlook. He pointed to Denver’s trade of Peyton Watson to Cleveland as an example of player‑personnel changes that might weaken the club.
Irvin warned that a decline in Denver’s ambition could push a superstar to rethink his future: "Nothing discourages a superstar like this. He worked so hard to get to this level, to be engaged by a franchise owner who cares about money as much as Stan Kroenke. If I were advising him, I would tell him to slowly consider a separation from the Nuggets. I think a time is coming when they will turn to a rebuild, which is an opportunity for Jokić to leave," he said.
A major element in Irvin’s scenario is the presence of Luka Dončić. Irvin noted the longtime friendship between Dončić and Jokić and argued that the basketball fit — in particular the pick‑and‑roll possibilities — could be a strong lure for Jokić.
"The link to the Lakers is very clear. It's Dončić, who is an extremely close friend of Nikola. Also, the possibility for their pick‑and‑roll together would be truly unique. The two may be looking toward 2028, when a series of decisions could lead them to play together," Irvin added.
Jokić signed a contract worth $276 million in 2022 that includes a player option for the 2027/28 season — the opening Irvin identifies for a potential move. He suggested that if the Lakers clear sufficient salary‑cap space and Denver’s roster is weakened, Los Angeles could attempt a trade or else wait for Jokić to test free agency, risking Denver losing him without compensation. There are currently no concrete indications that Jokić plans to leave Denver or that the Lakers are preparing such a deal; Irvin described this as a theory about how events might evolve over the next two years.
Photo: press material from the event
