LeBron James Has Six Options. The Nuggets Think One of Them Is Them.

The Denver Nuggets believe they are still in the mix for LeBron James this offseason. And they might be right. But even they admit they’re basically guessing like everyone else.

According to a report from The Athletic, team sources say Denver truly believes it has a shot at the four-time MVP despite the fact that nobody inside the organization actually knows what LeBron is going to do. They are, in the outlet’s words, “as in the dark about what might happen next as everyone else.” Close to it, anyway.

LeBron, who just turned 41, spent his 2025-26 season with the Lakers. He started 60 regular season games, got them into the playoffs, and then watched OKC send them home. Now he’s a free agent. And the list of suitors is short but interesting.

Why Denver thinks it has a real shot

The Nuggets already have Nikola Jokic, arguably the best player on the planet right now. Jokic has made it clear he wants to stay in Denver long term. You put LeBron next to that guy and suddenly the Western Conference gets a lot more complicated for everyone else.

There’s also the personal connection. LeBron is close friends with Josh Kroenke, who runs the Nuggets as team president and governor. That relationship gives Denver a natural entry point. But the real selling point, according to the report, is the basketball: the chance for LeBron to pair up with another all-time great in Jokic.

And then there are the lifestyle perks. Denver has some of the best golf courses in the country. And it’s only about a two-hour, 15-minute flight to Los Angeles, where LeBron’s family is expected to stay. That matters.

The other five teams in the mix

LeBron is also considering the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. Cleveland reportedly has an edge because the Cavs were trying to carve out a roster spot for Bronny James too.

None of those teams have exactly come out and confirmed anything. The whole situation feels fluid, maybe deliberately so on LeBron’s side. He’s done this before. He knows how to keep everyone guessing.

For now, Denver is still in the room. Whether that actually means anything is the part nobody knows yet.