LeBron James & Nikola Jokic a Possibility After Denver Enters Race for 41-Year-Old Upsets Fans – “Worse Than Joining Warriors”
Superstar forward LeBron James is being linked to a lot of contenders now that he is an unrestricted free agent.
LeBron James and Nikola Jokic (Image via FirstSportz)
As a free agent, it would not hurt ratings if members of the media start linking LeBron James to any NBA team with a competent roster that can play alongside him.
Naturally, the Golden State Warriors were the biggest name in consideration. After all, the former Lakers’ superstar has proved that not only can he play alongside his longtime rival Stephen Curry, but he can even thrive with him.
Add Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and Kristaps Porzingis to the mix, and opposing teams might be scared to face them. But the Warriors are not the only team to be considered as a potential landing spot.
After the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to the Miami Heat, James is linked to a possible reunion. He respects the Greek Freak and Bam Adebayo as much as he does Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley.
Then there is the Cleveland Cavaliers. A return home to finish what could be his final season will be a storybook ending. But now, another team’s name has been brought up.
I have long believed that if there was an outlier team for LeBron, if he was willing to take some exception, it was Denver.
Brian Windhorst said on the Hoop Collective
“I have long believed that if there was an outlier team for LeBron…it was Denver.” 👀
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 1, 2026
– @WindhorstESPN
(h/t @DNVR_Nuggets ) pic.twitter.com/y4aXXPbnGN
The longtime analyst reminded his colleagues that LeBron James has been chopping it up with Nikola Jokic and his agent over the past year, and he has connections with the Nuggets. Therefore, he will not be surprised if they take a swing at him.
Fans roll their eyes over LeBron James-Nuggets rumors
Not long after Brian Windhorst stated this, The Denver Post came to learn from a source that the Nuggets did indeed reach out to LeBron James’ representatives.
Once this confirmation of interest came out, fans possibly smacked their foreheads. They felt that this was worse than the thought of the four-time champion joining the Warriors. They prefer some sort of balance, and the last thing fans want is for James to join a three-time league MVP. Check out examples of those reactions below.
Hot take: this would be worse than joining the warriors
— 𝙘𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨🎒 (@SkiMaskChris_) July 1, 2026
daaawwwg!😭
— Tsar Strand Visuals (@Tsar_Strand) July 1, 2026
if lebron goes to denver, i’ll quit being his fan. I ain’t even joking
That'd be hype but we need Bron homecoming tour for his last season
— the navy's seal (@13brentlol) July 2, 2026
Lost in the 1st rd and got worse offensively and even worse defensively
— ABOLISH KKKOP PAWNS OF elites (@Anonn_Swede) July 1, 2026
bron im truly begging you do not go to the nuggets man
— kai (@realest_kai) July 2, 2026
Dumbest reach out ever. Why would Jokic need someone who requires the ball to do the same things he does? Jokic needs elite two-way players around him
— Jim Park🏀🌌 (@Sheridanblog) July 1, 2026
Please no
— Russ' TD ⚡ (@RussFcb) July 1, 2026
Somebody, please don't let this happen.
— bolabasket (@bolabasket95) July 2, 2026
Fans are aware that LeBron James will likely join a contender. He has made it clear that he does not want to go to a rebuilding team and spend a lot of energy coaching up younger players. But the mere thought of the Joker and the King together will give opponents nightmares.
Former teammate believes LeBron James is waiting on the Cavs
No matter how many teams LeBron James is linked to, the one that will constantly be linked to him is the Cleveland Cavaliers. Everyone knows that there is nothing more beautiful than to finish his career where it started, with his hometown team.

Not many players can claim to have done that, and helped them win their only championship to date. However, former Cavs teammate Kendrick Perkins believes that James is waiting.
I feel like in my heart LeBron James wanna be home. But he is not going to be home if this roster is put together the way that it is, and what we saw last year… I really feel this in my soul, that James is waiting to see if the Cavs are really going to do something.
Kendrick Perkins said on NBA Today
"I really feel this in my soul, that LeBron James is waiting to see if the Cavs are really going to do something."@KendrickPerkins believes LeBron really wants to go back to Cleveland 👀 pic.twitter.com/A88QGtnGYA
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 1, 2026
The former center reiterated that the Cavs proved last season that they are a few pieces away from being a true contender. Perkins believes that once they sort it out, James will announce his return.
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