Nikola Jokic says he’d be open to teaming up with Luka Doncic on the Nuggets

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Dec 18, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic bromance was one of the stories of NBA All-Star Weekend.

Jokic and Doncic are close friends off the court and were side by side throughout the festivities in Indianapolis where they both suited up for the Western Conference All-Star team.

But could they one day play for the same NBA team? Jokic indicated that he’d be open to the possibility.

Following Sunday’s All-Star Game, Jokic was asked by a reporter in Serbian if he would like to play with Doncic.

This was Jokic’s response, translated to English.

“I don’t know. It’s possible,” Jokic said. “I don’t want to leave Denver. I like it there and it’s a great organization. But if Luka gets pissed off in Dallas he can come.”

Jokic is likely never leaving Denver and I don’t think he’ll ever play for another team. I say that with complete confidence. If Doncic ever wanted to leave Dallas, close to every team in the NBA would do what they could to acquire his services.

The Mavs are having a solid season. Dallas is 32-23 and currently the seventh seed in the West. But Kyrie Irving has only played in 33 of 55 games this year. Doncic’s supporting cast, even after a mid-season trade to acquire P.J. Washington is iffy. It still doesn’t feel like Doncic has the type of help around that he’ll need to make a deep playoff run in a loaded conference.

Doncic signed a five-year, $215 million extension with the Mavs in September of 2022 and still has two years and close to $90 million guaranteed left on his current contract after this season. But none of that really matters because of how business is done in the NBA.

If Doncic wants out, he’ll be able to determine where he goes.

The Nuggets, who already employ one of his best friends, would be an appealing landing spot.