Western Conference contender had interest in Paul George, but Clippers wanted lofty haul

As NBA free agency creeps up on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George remains the center of the conversation.

While George and the Clippers are still at an impasse over a potential contract extension, the question is what the 34-year-old will do.

One possible outcome is a trade to move George, and the Golden State Warriors have been a popular team mentioned as a possible suitor. But when the topic of a possible George trade began to pick up steam, the 2023 NBA champs reportedly couldn't help but inquire.

According to The Athletic's Sam Amick and Anthony Slater , the Denver Nuggets had "serious interest" in potentially adding George. However, one aspect of the Clippers' asking price turned them away: "significant" draft capital. Along with Michael Porter Jr. and Zeke Nnaji, the Nuggets reportedly would have had to give up multiple picks, which ended their interest.

"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]," wrote Amick and Slater. "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."

George teaming up with Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray would have made for an interesting new big three, but for now, at least, it seems the Nuggets will remain out of the Paul George sweepstakes.