Could friendship between Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic form the next superteam?

The Dallas Mavericks made one of the most surprising trades on deadline day when they shipped Kristaps Porzingis to Washington for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. Fans were shocked about the return the Unicorn fetched, but the front office wanted more flexibility as they look to build a title contender around superstar Luka Doncic.

KP was never going to transform into the Mavericks' second star. They could not count on him to stay healthy, and the Unicorn became an after-thought in last year’s playoffs. Porzingis wanted post touches and just could not create shots for himself, so the Mavs moved on.

They are searching for another star to pair with Doncic, but Dallas is not going to have cap space to acquire one. The front office will need to make it happen via trade. It will likely take a superstar requesting a trade and wanting to come to Dallas. During the 2022 NBA All-Star weekend, Luka was spotted hanging and joking with Nikola Jokic plenty. Could the reigning MVP force a trade to form a superteam in Dallas?

Could Nikola Jokic join Luka Doncic on the Dallas Mavericks?

Jokic is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2023, and the Mavericks could have cap space in that summer, but that does not matter. Superstar players force trades all the time in the NBA, and their current team usually sends them to their preferred destination. Fans just saw it with James Harden (twice), Paul George, and Anthony Davis over the last two years.

Jokic had this to say when asked about playing with Luka in the All-Star game.

Fans know the reigning MVP is a jokester during interviews, but both men are European and were spotted hanging out often inside the Disney bubble in 2020. Doncic and Jokic are friends, and they would not be the first two players to decide to join forces in hopes of winning a championship.

Will Nikola Jokic request a trade? How high would the Dallas Mavericks be on his list?

Jokic has no reason to leave Denver. The Nuggets have made the playoffs for three straight years, and have won at least one series each time, including making the Western Conference Finals inside the bubble. They have been shorthanded this season, but Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. will return from their injuries.

The only reason for Jokic to request a trade is to chase a ring. The Nuggets are a perennial contender, but will they have enough to win a championship? The Joker may think they do not, and he could decide to chase a title with a different franchise.

The Dallas Mavericks would be an option if Jokic decides to change teams. They would trade everything possible to bring him to Dallas to play with Luka, but the decision will rest on the reigning MVP’s shoulders. The Nuggets are going to deal him where he wants to go because every team in the NBA would be willing to offer everything possible.

Looking around the league, the Bucks, Warriors, Grizzlies, Clippers, Heat, Sixers, Cavaliers, and Celtics could all be players if Jokic becomes available. Would the Joker prefer to play with a friend in Doncic over joining a team closer to title contention? Only he can answer that question.

Why Nikola Jokic should come to Dallas over Luka Doncic joining him in Denver

If Doncic and Jokic decide to team up, they have three options. The Joker could decide to join Luka in Dallas, Doncic could move to Denver, or they can both change teams and form a “Big 3” like LeBron James and Chris Bosh did with Dwyane Wade in Miami back in 2010.

Jokic is a free agent in 2023, but Luka cannot hit the open market until 2026. By that point, the Joker will be in his 30s, but will likely be under contract. The Mavericks are not trading Doncic as his new max extension begins this summer. The 22-year-old is happy in Dallas and has no desire to change teams. Dirk is one of his mentors, and Luka wants to form a similar legacy with the Mavs.

The Nuggets have two players working their way back from significant injuries and the oft-injured Aaron Gordon on their roster. Things could go from bad to worse if Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. are not the same players when they return.

The Dallas Mavericks plan on re-making their roster as they look to acquire a second star. Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber, Boban Marjanovic, Trey Burke, Sterling Brown, Frank Ntilikina, and Marquese Chriss all hit free agency in 2023 when Jokic becomes available, meaning the Mavericks can sign the reigning MVP and reshape the roster around their two stars with role players.

Dallas has the edge in roster flexibility after acquiring Nikola Jokic, which should be enough to bring the duo to the Mavericks if they decide to team up.

What are the odds Nikola Jokic joins Luka Doncic on the Dallas Mavericks?

Jokic is the Nuggets superstar and one of the best players in the NBA. The 6’11 big man is a unique talent, and the best passing big man in the league right now. He won the MVP in 2021 and has already played in seven playoff series. There is no reason for the Joker to leave Denver, but that has not stopped superstars from wanting out.

Will Nikola Jokic leave Denver and want to come to Dallas to play with Luka Doncic? That is a personal choice that the 27-year-old will have to make over the next 18 months. It is possible, but not likely.

Odds Nikola Jokic joins Luka Doncic on the Dallas Mavericks: 5 percent

There are scenarios in the infinite universe where Jokic comes to Dallas, but it would take a special set of circumstances. It was awesome seeing Luka and the reigning MVP having fun together during All-Star weekend. Fans saw their friendship on full display in Cleveland, and Doncic even described it as his “least favorite part”.

Every year at least one superstar player switches teams. Will Nikola Jokic be next on that list? Does he choose to join the Dallas Mavericks? It is a fun what-if to think about if nothing else, and who knows what will happen over the next 18 months.