The Los Angeles Lakers finished up their NBA Summer League slate on Friday with a 106-84 loss to the Denver Nuggets in which Bronny James and Dalton Knecht both sat out.

The Los Angeles Lakers are fully focused on building their future around generational superstar Luka Doncic. After pulling off a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks to get him ahead of the trade deadline last year, Doncic has taken over for LeBron James as the team's franchise player.

Last offseason, the Denver Nuggets took a chance on former NBA MVP point guard Russell Westbrook in free agency, signing him to a two-year deal with a second-ye

Dončić helped secure commitments from Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart after both unexpectedly hit free agency via contract buyouts.

Impressive offseasons from the Nuggets, Rockets, Lakers and Clippers closed the gap with Oklahoma City, but the Thunder still have the deepest and most versatile roster in the Western Conference heading into next season.

Having arguably the greatest player in the world, Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets always have a chance to win it all. That was evident during the 2025 playoffs, when they lost to the eventual champion, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in seven games. Had the Nuggets beaten OKC, there was a real chance for them to win it all.

Last season, the LA Lakers pulled off a stunning blockbuster by acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. As they continue to build out around their new superstar talent, one key member of the Denver Nuggets is on their radar as a possible running mate.

NBA trade deadline was a historic one, headlined by the shocking move that sent superstar guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis