​It appears LeBron James will not be bringing his talents to Denver, despite the Broncos’ enthusiastic outreach. The 41-year-old superstar is a sought-after free agent after informing the Los Angeles Lakers that he plans to play elsewhere in 2026. The Denver Nuggets were among the teams initially connected to James, and the city’s NFL franchise did its part on social media to bolster the recruitment push.
If you’re looking for some free-agency guidance, @KingJames… 😉 wrote the Broncos on their Twitter/X page earlier this week, accompanying a photo of James shaking hands with former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning, of course, spent the last four years of his career in Denver, culminating in a Super Bowl 50 victory before his retirement in 2016.
For Colorado sports enthusiasts hoping James would pair up with Nikola Jokić in Denver, the latest reporting from ESPN’s Shams Charania earlier this week suggested that the leading contenders for James’ services are Cleveland, Miami, and Philadelphia. If that account is accurate, the Nuggets would not be landing James this offseason.
Still, nothing is ever set in stone. You never know what could happen with a call from Peyton Manning or another influential voice in James’s circle. In the meantime, the Broncos and Nuggets remain hopeful about attracting high-profile stars who can elevate the region’s professional sports profile.
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This recap originally appeared on Broncos Wire, emphasizing how the franchise subtly nudges for high-profile free-agent moves and the possibility that Manning could provide strategic, off-field guidance to James as he navigates his next destination.