With the NBA’s trade deadline of February 5th rapidly approaching, teams are starting to show their hands, and it feels like dominoes are about to start falling. Teams are lining up to make moves and reshape their roster for the rest of this season, and perhaps beyond. The Nuggets definitely have a big move to make in the coming weeks, but it doesn’t involve making a trade; it requires converting Spencer Jones’ two-way deal to a standard contract.
Jones has been an incredible find for the Nuggets, an undrafted 24-year-old out of Stanford who spent most of last season in the G League. But this season, he was called into duty early for his defensive ability, and thanks to injuries, he’s stuck in the starting lineup.
He’s started 21 games already, and has played a huge part in stabilizing the team with multiple starters constantly hurt and out of the lineup. The Nuggets have gone 12-9 in those games, with Jones averaging 8.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting over 41% on threes, along with his solid defense as a versatile, 6’7” wing.
Nuggets must sign Jones by end of month
The only problem is that Jones’ two-way contract only allows him to appear in 50 games, and he’s already at 32. He’d hit his limit with the team by the end of January and wouldn’t be eligible to participate in the rest of the season or playoffs.
Luckily, the Nuggets already have an open roster spot, so converting his deal shouldn’t be a problem and should be a win-win proposition for both sides. Ideally, they can sign him to a team-friendly, long-term deal, guaranteeing he stays in Denver to continue developing into part of this core.
The only potential snag in the plan is that the ownership group has made it a clear priority to get below the luxury tax, and currently sitting $402,000 over it, that’s going to make it challenging to add any money to the roster, as adding Jones would obviously require.
Hopefully, Stan Kroenke and his group will see reason and realize this team is worth paying for, and Jones is a player you absolutely cannot let get away. If they choose to make a corresponding cost-cutting move, that would be frustrating, especially if they move a promising youngster, but at this point, getting Jones onto the roster has to be the top priority.