The Toronto Raptors are being mentioned as a possible landing spot for Nikola Jokic, and that alone says plenty about how high their ambitions are heading into the future. Toronto already has eyes on a major jump in the East with Kawhi Leonard cleared to return this summer, and after finishing 46-36 last season and placing fifth in the standings, some analysts are even projecting a top-four finish in 2026-27.
But the chatter around the Raptors does not stop at a bigger step forward. The latest buzz has them tied to one of the league’s most dominant players, Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. He is not available right now, and he has not signed his extension in Denver yet, which is enough to keep rival front offices watching closely.
A big part of the connection runs through Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic, who has a relationship with Jokic. As Jeremy Brener of Yahoo Sports put it, “Jokic likely has a relationship with Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic, who is one of just three European coaches currently in a head coaching position. Rajakovic recently spoke very highly of Jokic in an interview, and it’s clear that there is probably mutual respect between the two,” Rajakovic and the Raptors would certainly love to have Jokic in the fold, but a trade would likely hinge on whether the three-time MVP would consider leaving Denver, his only NBA home since 2015.”
For now, Jokic has shown no sign of wanting out. He has spent all 11 seasons of his NBA career in Denver and has been loyal to the Nuggets throughout. Over that stretch, he has averaged 22.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 56.9% from the field.
That kind of production is exactly why so many teams keep one eye on his situation. Jokic is a unique offensive force - a star playmaker, a gifted ball handler, and a relentless scorer - and he changes the ceiling of whatever roster he joins.
There is still a possible off-ramp from Denver down the line. Jokic has a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28, and he reportedly plans to sign an extension next summer.
If the Nuggets do not look like a serious title team, though, he could decide to put himself first and move on. If that ever happens, almost every team in the league would line up for him.
The Raptors would have to build a massive package to even enter the conversation, with Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Gradey Dick - plus most of their first-round picks - mentioned as the kind of haul it might take.
Toronto also has a few things working in its favor beyond the basketball fit. Rajakovic is from Serbia, and the idea of pairing Jokic with Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl would give the Raptors an elite Eastern Conference core. That group would stack up with the Knicks, Cavaliers, and the new-look 76ers, while also giving Jokic a chance to play for the league’s only non-American team.
Nothing about this is close to certain, and Jokic still has a lot of elite basketball ahead of him. But as the years go on, the pressure to stay in meaningful games will only grow. If Denver cannot keep pace, Toronto figures to be in the conversation if Jokic ever becomes truly available.
In Other News...
Nuggets Fans Wont Like This Jamal Murray Debate
The Nuggets have spent years building around the one-two punch of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, so any suggestion that the backcourt side of that partnership could be on the move is bound to catch attention. In a recent power rankings piece, ESPNs Ben Golliver raised the possibility of Denver eventually having to make a tough decision because of salary-cap pressure, a line of thinking that runs counter to how the franchise has operated while chasing another title window.
Murrays value to Denver is not just about fit next to Jokic, either. He is coming off a career-defining stretch that includes his first All-Star appearance and his first All-NBA Third Team selection, the kind of milestone season that usually strengthens a teams resolve to keep the core together rather than split it up. The Nuggets may have future cap relief options to explore, but for a team that knows how hard it is to find elite chemistry, the idea of breaking up that duo is the sort of scenario that feels a lot bigger than a routine roster debate. [Read more 🡒]
Julian Strawther Could Decide How Far Denvers New-Look Bench Goes
The Nuggets reshaped second unit will be one of the bigger subplots of their season, and Julian Strawther sits right in the middle of it. Denver lost key bench pieces over the offseason and tried to reload with additions like DeMar DeRozan and Marvin Bagley, but the team still needs young holdovers to help steady the group around the stars. Strawther has the kind of shot-making and growth potential that makes him easy to circle when looking for where the bench offense might come from.
What makes Strawther especially interesting is how thin the guard depth looks behind the top options. He is expected to take on a larger role this season, with the possibility of helping absorb the minutes and scoring left behind by Tim Hardaway Jr. If that jump comes, it could go a long way toward determining how effective Denvers new-look reserves really are, and how much flexibility the Nuggets have when the rotation tightens later on. [Read more 🡒]
Cam Whitmore Arrives With One Big Chance To Help Denver
Cam Whitmore is getting another shot at sticking in the league, and Denver is giving him a low-risk place to prove he belongs. The former first-round pick has already spent time with Houston and Washington, but he still has not locked down a long-term NBA role, which is why the Nuggets see a player with both upside and urgency attached to this next stop.
The fit matters because a two-way deal gives Denver flexibility while Whitmore tries to turn raw talent into a regular rotation case. For Whitmore, the challenge is straightforward but not easy: earn enough trust to matter on a team that will be watching closely, and do it in a setting where every practice, stint and matchup carries extra weight. [Read more 🡒]