Build a dream team that maximizes Nikola Jokic

[prolific passer]

Sheed
Worthy
Klay
Payton

[Silvie Lysandra]

tbh, the answer to this question in terms of building a realistic team, with active players, around Jokic is basically:

Philadelphia trades:Joel Embiid
Philadelphia gets: Nikola Jokic

(yes neither team would actually make that trade irl)

C: Jokic/Howard
PF: Harris/Simmons
SF: Simmons/Green
SG: Thybulle/Curry
PG: Curry/Simmons

Rangy elite defensive wings everywhere, and because you have Jokic and Simmons as primary ball handlers, you can start Thybulle and Curry. Simmons will primarily play as a rim runner and slasher and secondary playmaker (with more space playing with Jokic vs Embiid) but will get 10 MPG as PG depending on matchups.

Ironically, Denver probably would maximize Embiid more as well.

[Warriors Analyst]

Going a bit unorthodox here to try and do something somewhat realistic.

Curry
Thybulle
Middleton
Boucher
Jokic

Lots of shooting ability here. Thybulle is your worst shooter, but he and Middleton would be a pretty good perimeter defensive combo. Boucher has the type of skillset that works perfectly against Jokic as a 4/5 combo.

[dygaction]

Going a bit unorthodox here to try and do something somewhat realistic.

Curry
Thybulle
Middleton
Boucher
Jokic

Lots of shooting ability here. Thybulle is your worst shooter, but he and Middleton would be a pretty good perimeter defensive combo. Boucher has the type of skillset that works perfectly against Jokic as a 4/5 combo.

I would not call it realistic as they are the faces/goats of their respective franchises not likely to be traded.

[Statlanta]

The 2019-2020 healthy Denver Nuggets

[NapoleonII]

Suns only edition:


Goran Dragic
Devin Booker
Mikal Bridges
Shawn Marion
Jokic

Sixth man: Barbosa

[Asianiac_24]

Using superstars is a bit of a cheat and doesn't really maximize Jokic. Ideally to maximize Jokic, I think you'd want him to be the primary playmaker. His biggest weakness is paint defense, so someone like Anthony Davis who isn't a playmaker but an elite defender to cover Jokic would be ideal.

Lowry
Klay
Crowder
Anthony Davis
Jokic

The ball always go through Jokic to maximize his assist numbers. Lowry as the secondary playmaker, AD to cover paint defense.

[Ryoga Hibiki]

Not sure what you mean with "maximize", but something like
Jrue
Klay
Anounoby
Davis
Jokic
covers him up un defence while still be amazing on offense

[SHAQ32]

Just put him on the '02 Kings

[mdonnelly1989]

If I'm going an unrealistic team

PG: Curry
SG: Klay
SF: Spurs Kawhi
PF: KG
C: Jokic

If I'm going a semi-realistic team

PG: Chauncey Billups
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Bruce Bowen
PF: Draymond Green
C: Nikola Jokic

This team has excellent defense which helps with his terrible defense. And sharp shooters all around the court.

[giordunk]

It will be fascinating to find out how Jokic would do in 2004-2006 Ben Wallace role as they are the two extremes.
Billups
Hamilton
Prince
Rasheed
Jokic

This is super interesting. Those 4 guys are all versatile enough to play in a more free flowing offense.

So far I like both the Rasheed Wallace and Andrei Kirilenko picks at the power forward. Draymond as well I think is very logical with Jokic.

[giordunk]

I'd also love to see Jokic with Blake Griffin or Shawn Kemp just for the pure entertainment aspect. Big man to big man alley oops all day.

Also for all the people purposely leaving off playmakers and other ball-dominant guys - over an entire game, a playoff series, a whole regular season, you need secondary playmakers. Having another good playmaker adds more versatility to your offense and lets Jokic be used in different ways. Jamal Murray takes pressure off Jokic.

[penbeast0]

I'd also love to see Jokic with Blake Griffin or Shawn Kemp just for the pure entertainment aspect. Big man to big man alley oops all day.

Also for all the people purposely leaving off playmakers and other ball-dominant guys - over an entire game, a playoff series, a whole regular season, you need secondary playmakers. Having another good playmaker adds more versatility to your offense and lets Jokic be used in different ways. Jamal Murray takes pressure off Jokic.

A playmaker yes, but someone who is also very strong off ball or in catch and shoot situations like a Curry or Billups, both good mentions. You need forwards who can cover for Jokic and help as well as play man; they don't particularly have to be mainly 3 point shooters as he is very good at finding cutters. A pair like Marion and Kirilenko for the switchability would be idea. Then you get a shooter/defender at the two, depending on your one, you may want someone who can play 2/1 and be another playmaker if needed while still being primarily off ball like a Dumars/Hornacek type and you are golden.

[dygaction]

Team all Js with size, passing, and 3s:
PG: Mark Jackson
SG: Joe Johnson
SF: Jim Jackson
PF: Stephen Jackson
C: Nikola Jokic
6th: Reggie Jackson

[youngcrev]

Current players edition:
Steph Curry
Mikal Bridges
Robert Covington
Ben Simmons
Nikola Jokic

Curry feels like the obvious choice to pair with any big man. The one-two punch would be ridiculous with both playing off of each other's strengths.

I avoided iso wings since that lessens the reliance on Jokic's playmaking in the halfcourt. Bridges and Covington give me high end, switchable 3 and D guys to help try and make up for the defensive disadvantage.

Simmons addresses the need for defense as well, while also filling the transition offense hole. Obviously the lack of shooting isn't ideal, but there's plenty of that to go around here that you could just put him in the dunker spot a lot, as well as use him as a cutter.