New LeBron James Rumors Update Nuggets, Spurs Pursuits After Lakers Exit in NBA Free Agency

The Denver Nuggets could be considering pairing up LeBron James and Nikola Jokić.

The Nuggets "reached out" to express interest in James in free agency, Bennett Durando reported Wednesday for The Denver Post.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported the San Antonio Spurs, however, are not expected to pursue James after agreeing to terms with Tobias Harris.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday that James would play next season for a team other than the Los Angeles Lakers.

James' agent Rich Paul said on a Wednesday episode of his podcast he had spoken to "about 12 to 14" teams since his client hit unrestricted free agency.

Paul declined to specify which teams had contacted James outside of the Golden State Warriors.

Charania has indicated the Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat are currently seen as top potential landing spots for James.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin and Tim Bontemps previously reported back in March that "multiple sources" had suggested the Nuggets as a potential landing spot for James.

"Who is the only guy on [James'] level from a basketball IQ standpoint in the league?" one Western Conference executive asked McMenamin and Bontemps. "Go there and team up with that guy."

Multiple NBA insiders mentioned the Nuggets again the day after news broke that James would test free agency.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on Wednesday's Hoop Collective podcast he saw the Nuggets as an "outlier team" for James.

The Ringer's Zach Lowe similarly said on Wednesday's Zach Lowe Show he saw the Nuggets as "the most interesting team remaining on the board in the offseason."

Should James show interest in playing what could be the final season of his career in Denver, the Nuggets would need to decide which players the team could afford to move out in exhcange.

The Nuggets are currently just $4.6 million under the second apron, per Spotrac, with Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon signed for a combined $82 million next season.

Paul has repeatedly said James' decision as to where he will play next season will hinge on competitiveness, not money. Whether the Nuggets could maintain depth behind Jokić while also bringing in James could influence whether the NBA's all-time leading scorer considers signing in Denver.