Suggesting the Los Angeles Lakers won’t enter the 2025-26 campaign with the same assets isn’t a hot take.
It would be ludicrous to believe the organization’s current roster can compete for titles in the Western Conference, considering they’ve already been eliminated from the playoffs.
Regarding out-of-the-box summer trade proposals, Clutch Points’ Bailey Bassett predicts Los Angeles will stun the NBA by completing a blockbuster deal involving their five-time All-Star and an NBA champion Denver Nuggets guard.
"The Denver Nuggets don't have much when it comes to tradable assets,” Bassett wrote Thursday. “In fact, the only unprotected first-round pick the team can offer won't come until 2031. Even so, the Nuggets have to be discussed as a potential ‘unrealistic’ trading partner with the Lakers for landing (Luka) Doncic's services.”
"That is because Doncic and Nuggets' superstar Nikola Jokic appear like best buddies, so fans have always imagined the two sharing a court together. The two European superstars are always seen joking and messing around with each other, especially during the All-Star Weekend. They have goofy personalities that match perfectly.”
"Some even expect the Nuggets to make a big move via the trade market this season. Denver fired head coach Michael Malone only three games before the end of the regular season, and the Nuggets' ownership is clearly trying to maximize Jokic's prime.”
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"From an on-court fit, this trade wouldn't make a lot of sense. Denver's two biggest weaknesses are depth and defense, and this trade does the opposite of fixing those problems.”
Bassett’s intriguing trade proposal sends Doncic and Jordan Goodwin to the Nuggets for Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, a 2031 first-round pick, a 2026 first-round pick swap option, and a 2028 first-round pick swap option.
Murray did it all on Tuesday during Denver's Game 5 contest against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Whether decelerating in the lane before using his soft touch to score around the rim, exhibiting his reliable long-range perimeter jump shot, or regularly finding teammates, the 28-year-old veteran helped Denver secure a pivotal 131-115 home victory.
Similarly, Doncic was a big-time performer with the Lakers during their short-lived playoff stay. Although Los Angeles’ season is officially finished, the former Dallas Mavericks phenom carried the bulk of the offensive load for the Lakers.
Doncic averaged 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game in five postseason contests, shooting 45.2% from the field and 34.8% from three.
Defensively, Doncic must take positive strides to help Los Angeles reach its full potential, but it would be disrespectful to insinuate that he isn’t the franchise's new face.
A Doncic and Murray swap shouldn’t come to fruition this summer.
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