As the 2025 NBA offseason continues, it’s no secret that the relationship between LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers has deteriorated to concerningly low levels. While a James trade is not imminent at this time, it’s not out of the question if the right team makes the right offer this summer. If everything goes right for them, the Denver Nuggets are one organization that could step up with a massive offer.
“This is another situation in which a team is swapping out youth for LeBron entering his age-41 season. It is also another scenario in which said team might prefer this direction,” wrote Dan Favale of Bleacher Report. “Murray is set to begin his four-year, $207.8 million extension this coming season, and Watson is extension-eligible now. The Nuggets may welcome the extra long-term optionality that LeBron’s expiring deal would bring, especially with Christian Braun in line for a new deal.”
The Denver Nuggets are fully committed to the championship pursuit. With 2x MVP Nikola Jokic on the team, they are expected to be a major player in the West for years to come, but they might need more to match the league’s elite contenders.
In Los Angeles, as LeBron reconsiders his future, there lies a unique opportunity to acquire a true basketball legend. With one year left on his deal, a team like the Nuggets would make the perfect landing spot for LeBron next season, but what would a trade actually look like? According to Favale, one package could look like this:
Denver Nuggets Receive: LeBron James, Bronny James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jamal Murray, DaRon Holmes II, Peyton Watson, 2028 first-round pick swap
Since LeBron and Bronny as a package deal, they would both be included in the trade, and the Nuggets would compensate by giving up Jamal Murray, DaRon Holmes, Peyton Watson, and a future first-round pick swap. With career averages of 18.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game, Murray would be a nice prize for the Lakers, and he’d make a deadly backcourt duo with Luka Doncic.
Of course, if the Nuggets wanted to keep Murray, they would offer a package that includes their last first-round pick, along with Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson, and Jonas Valanciunas to replenish the Lakers’ frontcourt. Since many of these players were recently traded, the teams would have to wait until at least September 1st to finalize the deal.
Denver Nuggets Receive: LeBron James, Bronny James, Jordan Goodwin
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, 2031 first-round pick
If the Nuggets don’t want to part with Watson, who has an impressive skill ceiling, they may replace him with Christian Braun, who could take over LeBron’s spot on the Lakers and help Luka Doncic with consistency on both ends of the floor. Plus, they could keep their first-round pick and offer a future second-rounder instead.
Denver Nuggets Receive: LeBron James, Bronny James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jamal Murray, DaRon Holmes II, Christian Braun, 2032 second-round pick
For a team that’s just a few years removed from their last title run, the Nuggets are growing increasingly desperate to make a move that will put them back in contention. At this point, options are limited regarding what they can do, but LeBron James could be a possible (albeit unlikely) solution for them, and his dynamic with Nikola Jokic has the potential to break the NBA.
While a LeBron-to-Denver trade may still feel far-fetched, the pieces are there financially, competitively, and emotionally. The Nuggets have the motivation to make a bold move, and the Lakers may soon have reason to seriously listen. If things continue to spiral in Los Angeles, a LeBron–Jokic pairing might shift from fantasy to possibility. And if it ever did happen, it would instantly become one of the most fascinating duos in NBA history.
