The Denver Nuggets’ refusal to include Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, and Peyton Watson in trade talks for Paul George highlights their commitment to developing young talent and maintaining depth, especially as they aim to stay under the league’s second apron. While the Clippers wanted more than just salary commitments in exchange for George, the Nuggets opted to keep their young players rather than sacrifice future assets for an immediate star.
Christian Braun, in particular, has shown significant promise, averaging 14.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and strong defensive numbers this season, making him a valuable player who could evolve into a key rotational piece. Though Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson have less impressive numbers, their potential and rookie contracts allow the Nuggets flexibility under the salary cap, a factor that’s crucial for roster depth.
Adding Paul George might have provided an instant boost to Denver’s title contention, given his scoring (22.6 PPG) and shooting prowess (41.3% from three last season). However, the Nuggets’ front office seems to believe that their young players can grow into impactful roles, and they’re willing to bet on internal development rather than trading for an older, expensive star.
The team’s 2-3 start and back-to-back losses highlight that it may take time for this approach to pay off, but Denver remains a team to watch. With a core built around Nikola Jokic, they still have the tools to compete in the West. Whether or not this decision turns out to be a missed opportunity or a savvy long-term move will depend on how Braun, Strawther, and Watson develop and how the Nuggets perform as the season progresses.
