‘[Nikola] Jokić Is a Laker Next Summer’ — NBA World Reacts As Nuggets Shift Focus to 6-Time All-Star After Polarizing Peyton Watson Trade

The Denver Nuggets made a big move on Wednesday, agreeing to ship 23-year-old wing Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a multi-team deal that also sent Max Strus to the Los Angeles Clippers. In return, Denver walked away with an unprotected 2031 Cavaliers first-round pick and a 2032 Sacramento Kings second-rounder.

NBA insider Chris Haynes promptly dropped a follow-up report suggesting Denver’s next target is not another young, athletic wing but rather a 37-year-old veteran. The NBA community on X, predictably, lost its mind.

Nuggets Eyeing DeMar DeRozan After Trading Peyton Watson Away

ESPN’s Shams Charania confirmed that Watson, having rejected Denver’s initial offer of four years and $70 million, ultimately signed a four-year, $88 million deal with a player option and a trade kicker to join Cleveland.

BREAKING: Cleveland, Denver and the Clippers have agreed on a trade sending Peyton Watson to the Cavaliers, Max Strus to LA, and an unprotected 2031 Cavs first-round pick and a 2032 Kings second-rounder to the Nuggets, sources tell ESPN.

Watson will sign a new four-year, $88… pic.twitter.com/hXqL3JvsU4

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 19, 2026

Shortly after the Watson deal was finalized, Haynes reported that the Nuggets have pivoted their attention to six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan, who has “remained a free agent in demand for contenders.”

The aging forward was waived by the Kings in July after the franchise sought cap flexibility and has been on the market ever since, drawing interest from the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and now, apparently, Denver.

NBA Fans Warn Nikola Jokić Could Be Lakers-Bound as Nuggets’ Offseason Raises Questions

The combination of losing a 23-year-old breakout wing and pivoting to a 37-year-old veteran on a possible minimum deal was enough to send the NBA world into a full meltdown.

“Oh they’re cooked,” one user wrote.

Oh they’re cooked

— Ross Pins (@chisportsross) August 20, 2026

“[What the expletive] are they doing over there? How do you let Watson just go? He’s 23 and is only getting better,” one fan commented, speaking for much of the Nuggets’ fanbase that had watched Watson develop into one of the team’s most exciting young pieces.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, some fans saw the Nikola Jokić extension uncertainty and the Watson departure as two dots that connected in a very uncomfortable direction. The concept of Jokić one day ending up in purple and gold is a running fantasy that refuses to die. The Watson trade gave it fresh oxygen.

“Yeah, Jokić is a [Los Angeles] Laker next summer,” one user quipped.

Yeah Jokic is a Laker next summer 🤣🤣🤣

— HuskerNation! (@nebrasketball17) August 20, 2026

“Welcome to LA Jokić,” one fan wrote.

Welcome to LA jokic pic.twitter.com/0t3BUL5wPu

— Angel (@killjoys21424) August 20, 2026

One notably passionate Heat fan wanted to make their claim clear before anyone else could.

“BACK OFF DENVER, HE’S A HEAT” the fan wrote.

A few fans were optimistic about what the deal means for Denver’s direction.

“I [expletive with] that move,” one fan said.

The more basketball-minded responses focused on the DeRozan pivot specifically.

“Just what the Nuggets need is to get older and less athletic – could this new leadership team actually be worse than Calvin Booth? Someone other than Murray who can dribble would be really nice,” one user opined, referencing the front office overhaul Denver undertook last offseason when they replaced longtime GM Calvin Booth with the duo of Ben Tenzer and Jonathan Wallace.

“Tears, Strus better than DeMar,” another user commented.

It seems the Nuggets’ polarizing offseason decisions have reignited the conversation among fans about whether their front office is building a team capable of maximizing Jokić’s remaining prime years.