NBA Analyst Shuts Down LeBron James, Nuggets Rumors

NBA analyst Nick Wright does not think Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will be heading to the Denver Nuggets

Apr 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half in game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The 2025-2026 season will be the first time that LeBron James has opted into a player option in his career. After stops in Miami, Cleveland, and now Los Angeles, James has always opted out and re-signed, or just left in free agency.

As speculation grows about which teams James may consider, it appears he could be playing in his final year with the Lakers.

REPORT: The Mavericks, Warriors, Cavaliers, and Clippers all contacted Rich Paul about trading for LeBron James, per @ScoopB.

(h/t @Fullcourtpass) pic.twitter.com/DgRqtm6npv

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 13, 2025

Even at 40 years old, James was still selected to the All-Star Game and All-NBA Second Team, averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game while shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from three-point range.

As the Lakers move into the Luka Doncic era with all eyes set on building a team around him as the franchise cornerstone, James could look to let his contract run out and finish his career on the likes of the Cavaliers, Mavericks, Heat, or Knicks.

Our digital cover star, Luka Doncic, ready to take his game (and the Lakers) to new levels of dominance. And this summer shred has been years in the making.https://t.co/aB19DY7rrL pic.twitter.com/bjVsf1ampI

— Men's Health Mag (@MensHealthMag) July 28, 2025

However, Nick Wright of "First Things First" had some bold comments regarding the connection between James and the Denver Nuggets after a photo was shared online showing Nikola Jokic's agent, Misko Raznatovic, with James and Mav Carter.

LeBron James was on a yacht with Nikola Jokic’s agent/manager Misko Raznatovic

“The Summer of 2025 is the perfect time to make big plans for the fall of 2026.”

🤔 🤔 🤔 pic.twitter.com/hVmhixnAeG

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) July 27, 2025

Wright said, "I can report unequivocally the idea that this tweet or Instagram caption was about LeBron playing on the Denver Nuggets next year is unequivocally 100 percent false."

"There is a zero percent chance LeBron is on the Nuggets a year from now. That’s not my opinion. I know that," he continued.

Any deal involving James would be extremely difficult via the trade market due to his $52.6 million contract. Still, as the season moves along, chatter surrounding the Nuggets, James, and multiple other contending teams is expected to pick up depending on the standing of the Lakers.

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