Eric Bledsoe nearly became a member of the Denver Nuggets.

The Nuggets "were in the red zone - if not at the goal line" in talks to acquire Bledsoe from the Suns last month in a trade that "almost certainly" would've seen Phoenix pick up Emmanuel Mudiay and a first-round draft pick, reports ESPN's Zach Lowe.

Given their weakness at the one-spot, the Nuggets were one of the teams linked to Bledsoe after he infamously tweeted "I don't wanna be here" and the Suns committed to moving him.

The New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, LA Clippers, and Milwaukee Bucks were also thought to be interested in the 27-year-old floor general. The Bucks ultimately landed Bledsoe in exchange for Greg Monroe, a first-round pick, and a potential second-rounder.

Denver was previously linked to the eighth-year vet , having reportedly been in talks to acquire him during the offseason in exchange for Mudiay and the No. 13 pick in June's draft. That was never consummated, and the Nuggets sent the pick (used to select Donovan Mitchell) to the Utah Jazz.

In the same summer, the Nuggets were also interested in Kyrie Irving after he requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lowe notes Denver was never really in the mix for the four-time All-Star because it wasn't willing to give up Jamal Murray.

With Murray and Mudiay running the point, Denver sits tied for fifth in the West at 8-6, and look to make the playoffs for the first time in five years.