[Amick] Nuggets have been an underdog in this race since the start, so they should be thrilled to have made it a full week without being officially eliminated from contention… Team sources say they truly believe they’re still in it (for LeBron), though they also admit that they’re as in the dark
The Nuggets have been an underdog in this race since the start, so they should be thrilled to have made it a full week without being officially eliminated from contention. The question now, though, is whether they’re truly under consideration by James or if he’s simply waiting until the very end of this process to let all of these teams — except for one lucky winner — down at the same time.
Team sources say they truly believe they’re still in it, though they also admit that they’re as in the dark about what might happen next as everyone else. Or close to it, anyway.
To that end, three-time MVP Nikola Jokić shared a meaningful message about his own future on Monday when he told reporters in Belgrade that he plans to re-sign with the Nuggets next summer, when he can become a free agent, and spend the rest of his career in Denver. If James did come to the Mile High City, the last thing he would want is the future of the franchise centerpiece being in doubt while they all work toward a potential title together. Especially considering James, as it stands, can only sign with the Nuggets by way of a veteran’s minimum deal ($3.9 million).
James’ close friendship with Nuggets team president/governor Josh Kroenke is a convenient and positive entry point for Denver in these discussions, but the chance for the 41-year-old to play with a fellow all-time great in Jokić is seen internally as the most obvious recruiting pitch of them all. And as I detailed previously, it doesn’t hurt that Denver is known to have some of the country’s best golf courses — not to mention a two-hour, 15-minute flight to Los Angeles, where James’ family is expected to remain.
As far as the rest of the Nuggets roster goes, Denver has yet to make a major move with its core and appears comfortable running it back (unless James wants to join, of course). The Nuggets are navigating the restricted free agency of forward Peyton Watson, the 23-year-old who is drawing interest from several teams by way of a possible sign-and-trade. There has been a widespread belief that Denver would shed salary this summer as a way to avoid being in the second apron, but Nuggets ownership has not given its front office any such mandate.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7427056/2026/07/07/lebron-james-free-agency-cavs-warriors-nba/