The 2025 NBA offseason has been a whirlwind for many franchises, with blockbuster trades, high-profile free agency moves, and an overwhelming surge of social media narratives dominating headlines. But amidst the chaos, the Los Angeles Lakers have been conspicuously quiet. For a franchise known for its glamorous moves, splashy signings, and willingness to remain perpetually in the NBA’s spotlight, their silence is deafening. This calculated stillness has not gone unnoticed, particularly by Lakers fans and NBA insiders who have begun to connect dots in what is now being called the “Jokic Conspiracy.”
The theory goes something like this: the Lakers are deliberately preserving cap space, passing on short-term signings, and potentially preparing for an aggressive pursuit of a 2027 “superteam” headlined by none other than two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Dončić. Although the theory might appear as speculative clickbait on the surface, a deeper analysis of contract timelines, player relations, and franchise positioning begins to unveil layers that could make this more than just fan fiction.
To start, the Lakers have done little to nothing in the offseason despite facing mounting pressure. With LeBron James entering the twilight of his legendary career, possibly playing his final two seasons, there’s a prevailing assumption that the Lakers would seek to capitalize on his remaining window by adding high-level talent. Instead, they have largely stood pat, retaining their current roster and making only marginal tweaks that don’t meaningfully shift their championship odds. This behavior is sharply contrasted with the flurry of moves from Western Conference rivals like the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and even the young but surging Oklahoma City Thunder.
So why the hesitancy? Why wouldn’t Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss swing for the fences as they have in the past? The answer might lie in the Lakers’ long game, one that extends past LeBron’s era and potentially involves the most dominant center in the NBA today—Nikola Jokic. On paper, Jokic is deeply tied to Denver and recently signed a long-term contract that runs through 2028. But multiple sources have hinted at Jokic’s growing disillusionment with the Nuggets’ front office, especially after the team’s early exit from the 2025 playoffs and the departure of key contributors due to financial inflexibility. The Nuggets’ failure to retain depth and surround Jokic with a sustainable supporting cast may be sowing seeds of doubt in Denver’s franchise cornerstone.
Additionally, there are reports suggesting that Jokic, though publicly reserved, has quietly admired the Lakers organization and the opportunities Los Angeles presents both on and off the court. As a global icon and now arguably the face of international basketball, Jokic understands the branding and marketing advantages of a big-market team. While Denver has given him platform and purpose, the Hollywood lifestyle and business opportunities in Los Angeles could present an attractive new chapter.
Enter Luka Dončić. The young Slovenian phenom has long been rumored to be a target for every major-market franchise once his situation in Dallas begins to sour. And signs are emerging that Dončić, while still productive and passionate, is becoming increasingly frustrated with the Mavericks’ inability to construct a legitimate title-contending roster around him. The acquisition of Kyrie Irving offered some short-term fireworks, but inconsistency and a lack of depth have continued to plague Dallas. If things go south in the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons, the Mavericks might find themselves in an existential crisis that leaves the door ajar for Dončić’s departure.
What makes the speculation even more intriguing is the growing off-court friendship between Jokic and Dončić. The two have shared numerous moments during All-Star weekends and international play, expressing mutual respect and a desire to one day “play together” if the opportunity arose. While vague and probably tongue-in-cheek at the time, those comments are now being re-examined through a new lens. Could the Lakers be the franchise preparing the runway for such a pairing?
Further feeding the theory is the Lakers’ deliberate financial structuring. Many of their current contracts—aside from Anthony Davis—are short-term or contain team options, perfectly positioning them to have maximum cap flexibility by the 2026 offseason. That timeline just so happens to align with the potential opt-out years or trade request windows for both Jokic and Dončić. Los Angeles is essentially keeping their books clean, sacrificing immediate gratification for long-term dominance.
Moreover, the team’s silence in free agency isn’t just about cap space; it’s also about cultural transformation. LeBron’s impending exit will inevitably create a power vacuum, and rather than immediately filling it with another aging star, the Lakers seem content to develop their young pieces—like Austin Reaves and Max Christie—while laying in wait. There’s a sense they are grooming a culture that can accommodate not just one, but multiple superstars at once without the ego clashes or role confusion that plagued previous eras.
Another interesting dimension is the presence of Klutch Sports. While LeBron’s agency has exerted major influence over Lakers decisions in recent years, the front office appears to be diversifying its internal alliances. Quietly, they’ve started to develop relationships with European agencies and basketball circles, which could prove vital if they are indeed targeting stars like Jokic and Dončić. It’s not far-fetched to imagine a behind-the-scenes alignment forming that would ease such a transition.
On the court, the pairing of Jokic and Dončić would be borderline unfair. Jokic’s transcendent passing and post scoring would perfectly complement Dončić’s pick-and-roll wizardry and perimeter shot creation. Add a healthy Anthony Davis to the mix, and the Lakers would possess the most devastating offensive trio the NBA has seen in generations. Jokic could operate as the offensive hub, Dončić as the perimeter initiator, and Davis as the defensive anchor and secondary scorer. The basketball fit is seamless, and the Lakers know it.
Still, there are skeptics. After all, both Jokic and Dončić are currently under long-term deals, and the notion of superstars abandoning small-market teams is often met with backlash. But the NBA’s history is littered with unexpected exits—Kawhi Leonard leaving San Antonio, Kevin Durant joining the Warriors, James Harden forcing his way out of Houston, and even LeBron James himself choosing L.A. over Cleveland despite legacy concerns. Player empowerment has never been more prevalent, and no contract feels permanent anymore.
The Lakers are quietly navigating the post-LeBron transition with unprecedented patience. In a league defined by reactionary decisions and impulsive signings, they are choosing to play chess while others play checkers. Their bet is that by 2027, the league’s landscape will shift dramatically, and they will be in the perfect position to capitalize.
Of course, this master plan hinges on a lot going right. Jokic would need to grow increasingly frustrated in Denver, Dončić would need to push for a move from Dallas, and the Lakers would need to resist the temptation to make win-now moves over the next two seasons. But for a franchise with deep pockets, a storied history, and an unrivaled media market, that’s not a far-fetched bet.
For now, the “Jokic Conspiracy” remains speculative. But as the dust settles on the 2025 offseason and fans continue to wonder why the Lakers were so quiet, this theory is beginning to gain traction. Insiders aren’t dismissing it as fantasy. Instead, many are cautiously acknowledging that where there’s smoke, there might eventually be fire.
Whether the Lakers are truly orchestrating a 2027 superteam or simply hedging their bets until the right opportunity arises, their silence is no longer being seen as incompetence. It might just be the prelude to something historic. And in the NBA, timing is everything.
