The Denver Nuggets' best chance to get a championship-winning upgrade got swooped up by the Philadelphia 76ers. And along with LeBron James, the Nuggets may have just seen their championship dreams go right along with him. It's not curtains on their hopes yet, of course. But where else are the Nuggets going to get a generational upgrade to get over the hump this offseason?
BREAKING: LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option, Klutch Sports Group and Klutch CEO and Game Over show host Rich Paul tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/ALOlTkgdAV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 24, 2026
Shams Charania brought the big news drop of the day, and it's a very big one. LeBron will be joining the 76ers on a massive bargain, signing a two-year $8 million contract that gives LeBron a player option for the final year. The dream of pairing LeBron alongside Nikola Jokic is officially over.
It was a long shot, but it was the best shot the Nuggets had to upgrade just about everything they needed over last year without having to make a trade to do it. There aren't any game-changing free agents left on the market in the minimum-salary range.
The Nuggets' title dreams just took a big hit
It's hard to see the Nuggets breaking past the San Antonio Spurs or Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference next year without some big changes to the roster now. LeBron would have been a major overhaul by himself. He checks off ball control, shot creation, athleticism, and tenacity. And he's still a top player in the NBA.
The Nuggets, as currently constructed, seem to be hoping for a healthier playoff run as their major upgrade this offseason. Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson both missed time in the playoffs, and the Nuggets sank without their best two defenders. The Nuggets also had no other true ball-control behind Jamal Murray. So far, the signs point to bringing back last year's core, with changes to the fringes.
The fringe changes probably aren't enough to be a championship-winning difference. Marvin Bagley III, Tyus Jones, and Alpha Diallo are not the answers by themselves. But adding LeBron to the mix would have greatly improved the odds of the right answer.
The Nuggets' free agent focus should turn to a backup point guard
The Nuggets still have one key spot left to fill on the roster: backup point guard. Murray needs help again, and Jones just isn't going to be the right answer over the long haul. I hope I'm wrong, but beyond elite ball-control, Jones doesn't offer much. LeBron could have played backup point guard, too. Oh well.
We all knew it was a long shot to land LeBron. The Nuggets' title chances feel like they just got longer, too.
Add us as a preferred source on Google