Are Denver Nuggets interested in acquiring Paul George via sign-and-trade?

The Denver Nuggets acquiring a third star feels like a nightmare for the rest of the Western Conference, but luckily one aspect holds them back.

The Nuggets were reportedly interested in acquiring All-Star Paul George via extend-and-trade, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Anthony Slater . However, a lack of willingness to part with their draft capital ended their desires.

“League sources say the Denver Nuggets, for example, had serious interest recently in the prospect of adding George by way of a possible extend-and-trade with the Clippers (if he chose to go that route),” Amick wrote. “Yet in addition to giving George the max deal he so desires, they also would have had to give up Michael Porter Jr., Zeke Nnaji and a significant amount of draft capital. The Nuggets value their draft picks perhaps as much as any other contender in the league, and so their interest ended there.”

Many organizations have no issue moving on from serious assets to acquire a win-now player, but it’s clear Denver values their future just as much as their present. Not to mention, the Nuggets are already in championship contention, meaning a major acquisition is not required.

Rather, a team like the Philadelphia 76ers needs a player of George’s caliber to battle against the loaded rosters of the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference.