Feb 12, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Despite virtually being a lock for the postseason in early April, the 47-32 Denver Nuggets shockingly elected to part with head coach Michael Malone on Tuesday afternoon.

Following the surprise firing, many believe Nikola Jokic’s future with the Nuggets could be in legitimate jeopardy.

Clutch Points’ Bailey Bassett predicts the three-time MVP will leave Denver for the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency and help Los Angeles enter the 2025-26 season as NBA title favorites.

“In all likelihood, there aren’t any trades for Jokic that make sense for the Nuggets,” Bassett wrote Tuesday. “That is especially true when it comes to looking at what the Lakers can offer in comparison to the rest of the league.”

“LeBron James isn’t going anywhere because of who he is, and while a (Luka) Doncic for Jokic swap is likely the only thing Denver would consider, it is extremely unlikely. The Lakers are also deprived of draft capital. A 2031 first-rounder is the only unprotected first-round pick that they can offer.”

“A Jokic trade haul would likely need tons of draft capital for the Nuggets to consider it. Los Angeles can offer three additional pick swap options, but a team with all of Jokic, Doncic, and James wouldn’t lose a lot of games.”

“Meanwhile, the Nuggets would fall to the bottom of the standings without their three-time MVP, so these pick swaps would likely never convert.”

“The point is that a Jokic-to-Los Angeles trade is extremely unlikely. If the Lakers have some kind of voodoo magic and were able to pull this off, though, they would certainly have to include Austin Reaves.”

Bassett’s trade proposal would send Jokic to the Lakers for Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Maxi Kleber, Gabe Vincent, 2026/2028/2030 first-round pick swaps, and a 2031 first-round pick.

Jokic has done it all for the Nuggets in Year 10. From initiating Denver’s offense after missed baskets, embracing a magician role while facing double teams in the low post, or punishing sagging frontcourt defenders from three-point land, Jokic finds various ways to dominate ball games.

However, Jokic, averaging a triple-double, has been forced to play near-perfect basketball lately for the Nuggets to prevail on the hardwood.

Denver would likely struggle to reach the Play-In tournament without the NBA champion center’s remarkable contributions.

If Bassett’s summer trade idea comes to fruition and the Lakers complete another blockbuster deal for a superstar, Los Angeles wouldn’t have any excuses for falling short in the postseason.

Conversely, acquiring assets like Reaves and Hachimura would help the Nuggets remain competitive while searching for a new offensive identity.

A summer trade involving the Lakers, Nuggets, and Jokic would undeniably break the internet.