What Went Down:
- The Los Angeles Clippers signed veteran point guard Chris Paul to a one-year deal worth $3.6 million, bringing the 40-year-old back into their fold for a final season.
- Not long ago, experts speculated that the Denver Nuggets could have been a perfect fit for Paul—especially after losing Russell Westbrook (a significant off-court dynamic last season).
Why This Felt Like a Nugget-Sized Miss:
- Leadership Vacuum: Paul’s veteran presence and elite floor leadership would’ve complemented the Nuggets’ offensive scheme, particularly alongside MVP-caliber teammates like Nikola Jokić.
- Proven Playmaking: Denver needed a calm, facilitating guard to orchestrate offense—Paul’s track record made him an ideal match.
- System Fit: His high basketball IQ aligns with Denver’s ball-movement-heavy approach.
A lot of analysts now believe the Nuggets passed on signing Paul due to salary cap constraints and financial priorities.
Why It Might Have Made Sense (Despite the Miss)
- Stiff Budget Realities: As a repeater-tax team, Denver is dealing with luxury tax penalties and apron limitations, making even modest contracts challenging to absorb.
- Roster Priorities: With key players like Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon locked into big deals, there was little room—both financially and structurally—to add another high-IQ role player, even one as talented as Paul.
- Ambition vs. Pragmatism: While ideal from a competitive standpoint, the financial and cap hurdles may have made pursuing Paul more aspirational than actionable.
Final Word
Denver’s front office opted for fiscal prudence—but passing on Chris Paul could prove costly. In a league where veteran leadership and poise often make the difference in playoff series, this decision may leave Nuggets fans wondering: what if?
