The silence coming out of the Los Angeles Lakers’ front office this offseason has been more deafening than any blockbuster trade or headline-grabbing free agency move. While other teams scramble to make marginal improvements, and rivals like the Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks work tirelessly to build around their respective MVP-caliber superstars, the Lakers seem oddly passive. Their inaction, however, may not be laziness or indecision—it could be an intentional strategy designed to quietly maneuver toward a much grander plan. That plan, some insiders whisper, could involve clearing enough salary cap space to pair not one, but two European megastars: Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic.
At first glance, the notion sounds more like 2K fantasy than actual roster-building. But this is the Lakers, a franchise with a legacy of stars and superteams, from Magic and Kareem to Shaq and Kobe, all the way to LeBron and AD. When the Lakers are quiet, it usually means something big is brewing. And in this case, their silence may be laying the groundwork for a once-in-a-generation duo that could redefine modern basketball.
To understand how this rumor has started to pick up steam, it’s important to consider how the Lakers are managing their roster and payroll. The 2025 offseason has been eerily void of splashy signings, with the team letting multiple mid-tier contracts expire and being cautious about locking themselves into long-term obligations. They’ve resisted the temptation to overspend in a loaded free-agent market and have shown almost zero interest in trading away future assets to win now. This is not typical behavior for a team that just two years ago was fighting for a Finals appearance with a core of veterans and championship ambitions.
The Lakers also appear to be operating with a clear eye on the summer of 2026. That’s when LeBron James’ most recent extension ends, assuming he doesn’t opt out early. Anthony Davis has an option that same offseason, and depending on how the 2025-26 campaign goes, both could choose to leave or retire. Rather than doubling down on aging talent, Rob Pelinka and the front office seem to be preparing for a soft reset—one that could immediately catapult them back into championship contention if the stars align.
And the stars, in this case, might be Jokic and Doncic.
Luka Doncic’s frustrations in Dallas have been well documented. While he and Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024, they were decisively beaten by the Boston Celtics. Despite the success, Doncic has not shied away from voicing his frustrations with the organization in the past, particularly when it comes to roster construction and stability. Kyrie Irving’s long-term reliability is always a question mark, and the team’s supporting cast remains suspect. If Dallas once again falls short in 2025, the pressure to keep Luka happy will mount exponentially. A quiet, well-organized pitch from the Lakers could easily become one of the most tempting paths forward for the Slovenian superstar.
Then there’s Nikola Jokic. The reigning MVP has shown fierce loyalty to the Denver Nuggets, and by all appearances, he seems content leading that franchise. However, Denver’s financial situation is becoming more precarious with each passing year. As the NBA’s new CBA rules impose harsher penalties on teams above the luxury tax, keeping their championship core together has become nearly impossible. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope already left in 2024. If more role players exit, and Denver’s championship window starts to close, the Serbian big man might begin to consider other opportunities. Jokic has never craved the spotlight, but playing in Los Angeles with another European basketball savant like Doncic might be the type of basketball-focused proposition that could actually sway him.
Of course, for such a move to even be feasible, the Lakers would need to undergo a dramatic restructuring of their cap space. Theoretically, if they let LeBron walk in 2026 and decline to re-sign certain veterans, they could open up north of $70 million in cap space. Anthony Davis would also likely need to move on, or at least agree to a sign-and-trade that brings back minimal salary in return. These are painful decisions, but the Lakers have made tough calls before when chasing generational talent. It’s the kind of gamble they’ve always been willing to make—risking the present for the promise of something historic.
The logistics are complicated, but not impossible. What adds more intrigue is that Doncic and Jokic are not just two of the best players in the world; they are close friends off the court. Their chemistry, should they ever play together, would be instant. Their games are complementary—Doncic’s high-IQ ball-handling and perimeter play combined with Jokic’s elite passing and post dominance would make them the most lethal offensive pairing since Shaq and Kobe. Jokic’s ability to play the high post and facilitate would allow Doncic to dominate from the perimeter, while both players could interchange roles depending on matchups. Throw in an organization like the Lakers, with a deep pocketbook and access to ring-chasing veterans, and the recipe for a new dynasty becomes clear.
The NBA has evolved into a league of superteams, and while recent seasons have brought a resurgence of homegrown parity, the allure of combining stars in major markets hasn’t disappeared. For the Lakers, this silence could be the prelude to the loudest free agency summer in league history. Rather than reacting to today’s problems, they may be trying to solve tomorrow’s challenges before they even arrive.
Skeptics will rightly point out the odds stacked against such a scenario. Jokic is under contract through at least 2028. Doncic could force a trade, but the Mavericks would have to be willing to engage with the Lakers, which historically has been a rarity. Tampering rules are stricter than ever, and there’s no public indication that either player has demanded a move.
Yet, in the NBA, things change quickly. Kawhi Leonard was a Raptor one summer and a Clipper the next. LeBron left Cleveland twice. Kevin Durant’s decision to join the Warriors seemed unthinkable until it wasn’t. What matters most isn’t where stars are now—it’s how they feel after their next playoff heartbreak, and who’s ready to welcome them when that moment arrives.
That’s why the Lakers’ inactivity this offseason is so significant. They’re not just building a roster—they’re crafting a sales pitch. One that doesn’t need billboards or leaked reports to make its impact felt. They’re playing chess while others are playing checkers, keeping their moves hidden until the board is clear.
Meanwhile, the rest of the NBA watches and waits. LeBron’s future looms over the franchise, but it’s not the only question. The Lakers are preparing for a world beyond him, and that future could be brighter than anyone expects—if they pull off the unthinkable and bring both Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic to Los Angeles.
If they do, it would be the kind of move that reverberates across the entire league. A changing of the guard, both in terms of the Lakers’ own leadership and the NBA’s global balance of power. Two European superstars in one of the world’s most iconic basketball cities? It sounds crazy, until it doesn’t.
And that’s exactly how the Lakers like it. Let everyone else chase headlines now. Let them scramble to make the second round. Los Angeles is staying quiet for a reason—because when they finally make their move, it might be the biggest one the NBA has ever seen.
