A new rumor offers a surprising but exciting potential suitor to LeBron James on the free agent market this summer.
At 41 years old, it is not guaranteed that James will return for a 24th NBA season this fall. It's also possible he'll retire if the Los Angeles Lakers surprisingly win the NBA championship this spring. Yet despite his recent strong play, most people don't expect that to happen, so the 22-time All-Star has some big decisions to make this summer.
After this season, James will become a free agent. It's very possible he returns to LA next season for his retirement tour. And in a new report from ESPN's Dave McMenamin and Tim Bontemps, the Lakers are the favorites to retain his services for several reasons. However, NBA insiders also revealed a secret horse team to watch in the potential free agent sweepstakes.
Insiders claimed, "An interesting option brought up to ESPN by multiple sources was Denver, where a combination of three-time MVP Nikola Jokic could make for something extremely intriguing." "'Who is the only guy at his level in the league from a basketball IQ standpoint?' a Western executive asked. 'Go out there and team up with that guy.'
The Denver Nuggets would have a legitimate chance to sign LeBron James this summer
McMenamin and Bontemps said James' move to the Denver Nuggets might appeal to the Lakers because it would open the door to a sign-and-trade opportunity that could bring LA players such as Peyton Watson or veteran forward Cameron Johnson. Plus, he explains why visiting the Mile High City might appeal to LeBron James.
"Denver pursued James in 2018 after he left Cleveland as a free agent, led by Nuggets president Josh Kroenke, who is his friend. The Nuggets have since added Jared Dudley, one of James' friends, to the coaching staff," he wrote. “After teaming up on the Lakers from 2019 to 2021, their relationship remains so strong that Dudley went to the visitors' locker room at Ball Arena to see James after L.A. beat Denver on Jan. 20.”
The idea of James and Jokic teaming up, even for one season, could lead to a very entertaining season in Denver. Joining the Nuggets would show that he really wants to win another championship. However, it would certainly be doubtful that he would take a retirement tour of Hollywood to play in Denver.
