For the second straight season, the Nuggets let a big man signed to a two-way contract go, only to see that player latch on with the Grizzlies. Last year, the player in question was Jay Huff. Denver had Huff on a two-way deal in 2022-23, but let him go at the end of the season.
Huff signed on a two-way with Memphis and became a key part of their rotation last season as a stretch-big, averaging 7 points and 2 boards a night, appearing in 64 games. He ended up getting his contract converted to a regular deal and was recently traded to the Pacers for two 2nd-round picks.
The Nuggets never gave Huff the opportunity, but ironically, they badly could have used him last season. They had virtually no frontcourt depth off the bench, and a shooter who could have played the 4 or 5 would have been a godsend. But alas, Huff was gone and has now become a solid player elsewhere.
PJ Hall following same path as Huff
This time around, we’re seeing something similar play out with PJ Hall. Hall was signed to a two-way contract last offseason after a solid summer league, but didn’t make much of an impression and was let go after the season.
The Memphis Grizzlies are signing forward PJ Hall to a two-way NBA contract, agent Matt Bollero of ProMondo Sports tells ESPN. Hall, who played 19 games for the Nuggets last season, averaged 24.2 points and 14.7 rebounds on 65.5% shooting per-36 minutes in summer league.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 20, 2025
Hall was quickly scooped up and added to the Hornets’ summer league roster, where he impressed on both ends, helping lead Charlotte to an undefeated record and the championship game at Las Vegas Summer League.
He impressed so much that the Grizzlies went ahead and signed Hall right off of Charlotte’s roster to a two-way contract for the season. So, for the second straight season, a Nuggets castoff will get a shot in Memphis and look to latch on as a full-time NBA player.
Nuggets not likely to miss Hall
Frankly, as much as it’s scary to see this situation playing out so similarly, it’s a completely different situation. Hall never looked like an NBA player in Denver, and the team was smart to move on and take a chance on younger players with their two-way spots.
The Nuggets’ roster is stacked this season, and the chances of Hall ever sniffing playing time were minuscule. He’ll be better served in an organization like the Grizzlies, who have a lot of minutes and opportunities up for grabs and a proclivity for developing young, unheralded players in their system.