There’s one good reason the Nuggets are yet to make a move 24 hours into free agency.

If LeBron James has any interest in playing his 24th NBA season in Denver, the Nuggets need to wait for James to make his call before going forward on other moves. James reportedly informed the Lakers he would be continuing his career elsewhere Monday, and his agent, Rich Paul, invited interested teams to pitch their plans to the 22-time All-Star.

The Nuggets should be an interesting option for James, who has relayed his happiness and the chance to contend are more important than financial compensation. That’s great news for the Nuggets, who would be able to pair two of basketball’s most beautiful minds. James also has a preexisting relationship with Nuggets president Josh Kroenke, and it’s the type of move that should inspire Nikola Jokic to sign that massive extension sooner than later.

With Jokic and Jamal Murray, James won’t have to worry about carrying the offense or overexerting himself during the regular season. Denver immediately becomes a contender with a core four of Murray, Jokic, James and Aaron Gordon, another Klutch client. The ring-chasing allegations would be much quieter than playing for Oklahoma City or San Antonio next season.

Miami makes sense on paper, but some relationships would have to be repaired before that becomes a viable option. The Cavaliers are always going to be a popular pick, and James was spending time in Akron this week, but Cleveland’s core isn’t as championship ready as Denver’s. Golden State is another interesting option, but a team full of geriatric millennials makes navigating the regular season and playoffs a taller task than it would be as part of a more balanced Nuggets roster.

James wouldn’t just be an accessory in Denver. He provides a lot of what the team needs — ball-handling, creation, athleticism, strength, the ability to guard multiple positions, leadership and more championship experience than anyone on the roster. His arrival would take the spotlight off Jokic a little bit more and ease the pressure Murray would face coming off his best regular season and a disappointing playoff performance. The Nuggets could stagger James and Gordon on back-to-back sets to maximize the forwards’ freshness for when it matters most. Denver even has weather that would allow James to continue to explore his newest hobby, golf.

The money made off James joining the Nuggets should offset ownership’s concerns about operating in the second apron and paying the repeater tax. Adding James on a minimum contract would encourage others to potentially do the same. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who won a title with James in Los Angeles before helping Denver win its 2023 title, is reportedly exploring a way out of Memphis. Peyton Watson’s list of suitors got shorter after the Lakers made a series of signings, and Chicago added Norman Powell on Tuesday, so retaining the young talent should be cheaper than previously expected.

If LeBron is open to being in Denver, the Nuggets need to come up with a plan to make what seemed like a dream the last time James was a free agent back in 2018 a reality.