LeBron James is still weighing his next move after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, and the decision is turning into one of the biggest questions of his final NBA chapter.
The 41-year-old appears to have one more run left before retirement, which is why he’s taking his time. ESPN’s Shams Charania said Wednesday that James has five teams on his free agency shortlist. The Cleveland Cavaliers, the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers are said to be the leading three, while the Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves are also in the mix as less likely possibilities.
What’s no longer on the table, according to that report, is Denver. James has apparently ruled out joining Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray on the Nuggets - and that’s where the mistake comes in.
The biggest reason Denver should still be in play is Jokic himself. He’s arguably the best player in the world, and James would fit naturally beside him.
Both are high-level playmakers with elite basketball IQ, which would make life miserable for any defense trying to sort them out. Jokic’s ability to stretch the floor as a three-point shooter would also open up driving lanes for James.
That pairing would give James a real shot at title No. 5 while still keeping him central to the offense.
The fit goes beyond star power, too. James has always been at his best when he’s flanked by shooters, and Denver’s group checks that box. Jamal Murray, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon and Jokic are all above-average from deep, giving the Nuggets a mix of scoring, playmaking and size that would suit James perfectly.
Health is the final piece. The 76ers might offer the strongest starting five if James landed there, but Joel Embiid’s injury history makes that a risky bet. The Miami Heat also come with questions, since Giannis Antetokounmpo played only 36 games last season, although the Bucks were tucking in some of those.
Denver, meanwhile, has the steadier anchor in Jokic. He has played at least 69 games in every season since his draft, and James has just about been the model of durability himself. Put those two together, and the Nuggets would almost certainly have both available when the playoffs arrive.
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