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Nuggets Consider Trading Jokic Amid Contract Concerns

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, February 21st 2026 at 0:18 GMT by Sporting News
      Locales: California, Oklahoma, Texas, UNITED STATES

The Nuggets' Dilemma: Why Move a Franchise Cornerstone?

The most puzzling aspect of this potential trade is the Denver Nuggets' willingness to part ways with Jokic. For years, Jokic has been the heart and soul of the Nuggets, leading them to a championship in 2023 and establishing himself as one of the most dominant and unique players in the league. Reports suggest the Nuggets' openness stems from ongoing, and currently stalled, contract extension negotiations. The team fears an inability to reach an agreement could lead to Jokic hitting free agency, essentially losing their star for nothing. A blockbuster trade, however painful, allows them to secure a significant return on their investment and potentially expedite another rebuild.

Houston's Strategic Play: Reaves as a Building Block

The Rockets, still in the early stages of their rebuild, see this trade as a prime opportunity to add a proven, ascending talent in Austin Reaves. Reaves' emergence as a key player for the Lakers has been remarkable, transforming from an undrafted free agent into a legitimate scoring threat, playmaker, and capable defender. He fits the Rockets' timeline perfectly, offering a blend of immediate impact and future potential. The draft picks received will further bolster their asset base, allowing them to pursue other trades or select promising prospects in upcoming drafts. The Rockets have been stockpiling draft capital, and this trade allows them to convert some of it into a player who can contribute right away.

San Antonio's Continued Rebuild: Accumulating Assets

The San Antonio Spurs, under the guidance of head coach Gregg Popovich, are firmly committed to a long-term rebuild centered around young stars like Victor Wembanyama. The draft picks and players received in this trade would further accelerate their process. While they may not be targeting immediate contention, accumulating assets is crucial for building a sustainable winning culture. The Spurs are known for their patient approach and their ability to identify and develop talent, and this trade aligns perfectly with their organizational philosophy.

Austin Reaves: From Undrafted to Trade Chip

Reaves' journey to becoming a central figure in this potential trade is a testament to his work ethic and skill development. His ability to score in multiple ways, coupled with his solid defense and improving playmaking, has made him an invaluable asset for the Lakers. He's a player teams covet - a versatile guard who can thrive in various roles. His value has skyrocketed, making him a desirable target for rebuilding teams like the Rockets.

The Lakers' Championship Aspirations: A Jokic-James-Davis Core

For the Lakers, acquiring Jokic would immediately transform their championship outlook. Pairing Jokic with LeBron James and Anthony Davis would create a potentially unstoppable core. Jokic's playmaking ability would alleviate pressure on James and Davis, allowing them to focus on their scoring strengths. His rebounding and defensive prowess would also address key areas of need for the Lakers. This superteam could immediately challenge for the NBA title, making the Lakers favorites in a highly competitive Western Conference. However, balancing the roster and managing the cap implications will be significant hurdles for the Lakers' front office.

Realistically Speaking: What Needs to Happen?

As Jake Fischer rightly points out, this is far from a done deal. Numerous factors need to align. Denver needs to definitively determine they can't reach an agreement with Jokic. The Rockets and Spurs need to be convinced the offered packages are sufficient. And, crucially, all three teams must be comfortable with the financial implications of the trade. Furthermore, the logistics of fitting Jokic's contract into the Lakers' salary cap structure will be challenging, potentially requiring further moves to create space. While the potential rewards are enormous, the path to making this trade a reality is fraught with complexity. The next few weeks will be critical as the NBA trade deadline approaches, and fans eagerly await a resolution to this captivating saga.