The Nuggets refusing to trade for a star proves they've lost their minds

The Denver Nuggets haven't gotten off to the best of starts this season after going 2-2 and having to rely on superstar Nikola Jokic to carry them. This after a lackluster offseason but an encouraging preseason, with players such as Christian Braun and Julian Strawther appearing as though they made leaps in their development.

That has yet to materialize for the Nuggets, who don't appear to have enough talent to seriously compete in the Western Conference this season. Despite that, they almost looked much different had it not been for them turning down a trade for Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George.

George was a free agent during the offseason but prior to becoming one, the Clippers and George were working on potential trades, with Golden State also having interest in George.

The Nuggets reportedly offered up Michael Porter Jr. and Zeke Nnaji only for the Clippers to demand more. Surprisingly, the Nuggets, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, weren't willing to trade Braun, Strawther, or Payton Watson.

The Denver Nuggets made a huge mistake by not trading for Paul George.

Denver passing up on a chance to acquire a nine-time All-Star while also getting rid of two of their worst contracts and possibly not having to give up a first-round pick seems like a no-brainer deal for the Nuggets. Instead, they passed on the offer and banked their season on the development of those three players.

All three players could turn into key rotation players for the Nuggets this season but they would have had a sure thing in George, who would have paired nicely with Jokic and Jamal Murray. Porter Jr. is on an exorbitant contract that he can't possibly live up to, while Nnaji is on a four-year, $32 million deal even though he isn't even a part of the rotation.

Turning those two contracts into George, who, despite being 34 years old, probably has a couple of good seasons left in him, should have been an easy choice. Unfortunately, the Nuggets' front office, which has made many questionable moves, decided against it.

Even if they had to include Braun or Strawther, Denver should have jumped at the chance to add George, who would have brought both shooting, passing, and defense to the table. It also could have paid off in other ways, such as bringing more attention to the Nuggets.

That would have potentially opened the door for other key veterans to join them down the road, making them a destination for free-agent veterans looking to ring chase. Ultimately, the Nuggets not making the George trade could come back to bite them unless players such as Braun and Strawther thrive this season.