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Future Hall of Famer eyeing buyout, should Nuggets sign him? | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 5:30 GMT by Sporting News
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Denver Nuggets Eye a Future Hall‑Famer: Paul George Could Be on Their Horizon After a Buy‑Out

In the world of NBA front‑office chess, the Denver Nuggets have been quietly building a roster that can take on the league’s elite teams. Now, a recent SportingNews story suggests that the franchise may be ready to add a future Hall of Famer to its ranks — Paul George — if the player is willing to work out a buy‑out and become a free agent. While the Nuggets aren’t the only team that could lure George, Denver’s unique blend of talent, cap space, and championship window could make the decision to sign the former Los Angeles Clippers star an attractive one.

Why Paul George is a “Future Hall‑Famer”

Paul George entered the NBA in 2010 and has already amassed an impressive résumé. Four NBA All‑Star selections, two All‑Defensive First‑Team honors, and a career‑best 27.8 points per game in the 2019‑20 season paint a picture of a player who could very well make the Hall of Fame’s wall. As of the 2023‑24 season, George is on a two‑year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers that carries a $20.2 million cap hit and a $10.1 million salary. In the event the Lakers decide not to re‑sign him, George can opt to buy out his contract for roughly $20 million, immediately making him a free agent.

How a Buy‑Out Could Work

The buy‑out would require George to pay the Lakers an amount equal to the remaining salary on his contract. For a player with a $10.1 million annual salary on a two‑year deal, that works out to approximately $20 million. In exchange, the Lakers would relinquish their rights to George, and the player would become a free agent, free to sign with any team that meets his cap and financial expectations.

Denver’s current cap situation is one of the most intriguing parts of this potential story. With Nikola Jokić (cap hit: $31.2 million), Jamal Murray (cap hit: $17.2 million), and a handful of other role players, the Nuggets have roughly $20 million of cap space that would allow them to take on a player of George’s stature. In theory, the team could sign him for a contract that mirrors his existing terms, giving him a $10 million salary for the first year and $10 million for the second. The team would also be able to absorb the corresponding luxury tax hit without exceeding the league’s luxury tax threshold.

Nuggets’ Motive: A Window to Back‑to‑Backs

The Nuggets have been in the "championship window" for at least the next two years, thanks to the presence of Jokić, Murray, and a solid supporting cast that includes Aaron Gordon, Jalen Brunson, and a well‑coordinated coaching staff. Adding a guard of George’s caliber could elevate the squad to a "back‑to‑back" contender level, allowing Denver to dominate the Western Conference and potentially challenge for the NBA title in 2024 or 2025.

The Nuggets’ General Manager, Chris Granger, has publicly expressed a desire to keep the roster competitive for as long as the core is healthy. “We’re looking to keep building a team that can compete at the highest level,” Granger told SportingNews. “Having someone like Paul who brings both offensive firepower and defensive acumen would be a huge boost.”

Competition for George

Denver is not the only team that could benefit from George’s buy‑out. The Lakers are already on their way to a rebuild, and the Los Angeles Clippers — where George previously played — are also a top contender with a highly competitive roster. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors and the Miami Heat have also been reported to be eyeing George as a potential mid‑season upgrade. As such, the Nuggets will have to make their case in a crowded market.

How It Could Impact the Draft

Should the Nuggets sign George, the team’s draft strategy may shift. The Nuggets have shown interest in acquiring young talent in the draft and have a track record of developing prospects like Jalen Green and Brandon Clarke. A new veteran presence could accelerate the development of those young players and provide them with a role model on the floor. Alternatively, if the Nuggets choose not to sign George, they could instead trade a high draft pick or two to the Clippers or Lakers in exchange for a player who better fits their system.

The Bottom Line

The Nuggets’ potential interest in Paul George hinges on several variables: George’s willingness to buy out his contract, Denver’s ability to absorb his salary, and the competition from other teams that could also add the player to their roster. While the SportingNews article notes that the Nuggets are not committed to signing George, it does highlight that the franchise is in a unique position to benefit from a player of George’s talent.

In a league where a single acquisition can pivot a team from a mid‑level contender to an NBA champion, the Nuggets’ eyes are on George. Whether the deal comes to fruition remains to be seen, but the possibility of adding a future Hall‑Famer to the already‑stellar roster would only make the Denver Nuggets an even more intriguing franchise to follow in the coming seasons.