‘Former’ Performer punished! It took only a few minutes for the world to look ahead into the future. Yes, the Denver Nuggets have fired Michael Malone. But that doesn’t mean the league will stop operating. In reality, the battle ahead is about to get intense. For the Nuggets, the path is nothing but tumultuous. But don’t worry, Nikola Jokic is there to bind the team together. However, there is a certain suggestion that’s now swirling around the NBA, and who knows if the Serbian giant will pay any attention to it or not?

Do you remember there were rumors that the Los Angeles Lakers wanted Nikola Jokic on the team? Well, those rumors could someday turn into reality. According to NBA Central, the Lakers, with +500 points on Bovada, seem like the perfect landing spot for Joker. Most importantly, the Nuggets are in a financial dilemma as Jamal Murray‘s 4-year, $207 million contract and Michael Porter Jr.’s 5-year, $179 million contract are about to add blisters to the pockets. What are you guessing?

Yes, Denver might consider moving Murray, MPJ, as well as Aaron Gordon, to avoid that $353 million trouble looming at large. Here’s the new reality: with Malone out, no one’s spot is safe. The front office will put the roster under a microscope, and there’s only one question echoing through the halls: Can this team bring home a title? If the answer’s yes, the core stays. If it’s no, brace yourself—change is coming, and it won’t knock before entering.

More than anything, fans are starting to lose hope. Another championship feels distant. They had dreamed of Jokic and Murray lifting a second ring together. But now, the narrative is shifting. Many want to see Jokic team up with his close friend Luka Doncic. Surprisingly, they want it to happen with the LA Lakers.

Fans urge Nikola Jokic to consider playing alongside Luka Doncic in LA

Earlier in February, right after Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers, some curious minds had a question. Who would fill the void AD had left behind? One name that came up was Nikola Jokic’s because, let’s face it, no one except him could bring that elite rim protection on the court. Therefore, one of the fans commented: “If Nikola goes to the Lakers, why even play games. Just give all the trophies to the Lakers.”

“This just looking more and more like Jokic coming to the Lakers,” a fan commented on X. Well, given the $353 million trouble with Jamal Murray and MPJ’s contract combined, the Denver Nuggets need to find ways to soothe their pocket burns. Most importantly, maintaining Jokic at $276 million for 5 years without a guaranteed championship could harm the team further. At the same time, the Lakers and their pocket pinch also need to be considered, as they might have to let go of heavy assets to bring Jokic and Doncic together.

Meanwhile, someone wrote: “Lakers would have to give up too much to get Joker, but Jokic & Luka would be the new Kobe & Shaq.” By 2026, the Lakers could have major cap space with only Jarred Vanderbilt under contract. If they manage deals around Luka and Austin Reaves, they could gear up for a blockbuster 2027. That’s when both Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo have player options. The dream? A potential trio of Luka, Reaves, and Jokic—three of the coldest white boys in the league.

At the same time, fans are really quick in making edits, like this one:

Surely, the sight of Nikola Jokic in a Lakers jersey looks enticing. But coming back to reality, this dream team of Luka Doncic and Joker is just a speculation, nothing more than that.

However, for another fan, the theory is slightly different. They commented: “LeBron retires and Lakers get Jokic and Luka and win 5 chips.” Some fans believe the league is doing everything it can to help Bron surpass Michael Jordan’s ring count. But here, for this fan they see a different story, the Luka-Nikola pair could win 5 chips even without James Sr.

Dreams are still free, but the Lakers might just be budgeting for them. With Denver’s financial fire growing and LA’s cap space (hopefully) wide open in the future, the pieces are subtly aligning. If Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic ever don purple and gold, the league won’t be ready. Until then, fans will keep scheming, manifesting, and editing their hearts out.