The rumors were rampant in the past few weeks. The Nuggets had interest in a few players, only to be spurned by seemingly everyone they had targeted. The NBA's deadline for bought-out players to be playoff eligible had come and gone.
But then Shams Charania came out of the clouds and delivered the news. The Nuggets have filled their 15th and final roster spot with Tyus Jones, probably the best option still left for a team in need of more ball protection.
There wasn't much left on the market after Khris Middleton decided to stay in Dallas, and Kyle Anderson thought it was better to return to Minnesota than check out Denver. Jones will provide backcourt depth and steady ball control for the Nuggets, at least. So we'll take the best option moving forward and see how the coaching staff decides to deploy the 11-year veteran.
Does Jones crack the rotation?
Jones certainly has a good chance to see court time. The Nuggets may be looking for more ball protection, especially on the second unit, where they really can't make mistakes that allow the other team more chances. Jonas Valancianus and the second unit have directly been responsible for letting teams back in games at the start of the second and fourth quarters.
It turned into an epidemic that peaked with head coach David Adelman describing the lapse versus the Timberwolves as "horrendous." And it felt that way. A nine-point lead was erased in two minutes.
Jones' veteran presence and ball control should move him ahead of not only the newly acquired two-way KJ Simpson, but perhaps even Jalen Pickett. It's not the worst thing for the Nuggets, but Jones certainly isn't as exciting as a three-and-D wing would have been, like Middleton.
The Nuggets roster is missing more pieces before it gets better
The Nuggets take on the Utah Jazz next, who are tanking and missing most of their key pieces. And it's a good thing they get a depleted squad to face off against in a back-to-back.
The Nuggets will be without not only Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson for at least one more game, but they'll also be missing Cam Johnson, who has an ankle injury, plus Spencer Jones, who's out with a shoulder strain.
That's about par for the course this season for the Nuggets. Make a couple of strides forward and watch someone else leave the lineup. There will be a hole tonight on the wing. Julian Strawther's likely to see an uptick in minutes to cover the gap.