With the Nuggets’ summer league schedule coming to a close on Friday night, the team wasted little time in filling their third, and final two-way spot, signing undrafted rookie Curtis Jones. Jones earned the spot by showing out over the course of the five games in Las Vegas, proving he can score efficiently, stroke it from outside, and add a little playmaking creativity.
The Denver Nuggets are signing guard Curtis Jones to a two-way NBA contract, agent Austin Walton of NEXT Sports tells ESPN. After going undrafted out of Iowa State, Jones had a stellar summer league for the Nuggets, averaging 15 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists on 47% from 3.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 20, 2025
Jones had a solid season at Iowa State last year after transferring from Buffalo. Jones won Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year and made First-Team All-Big 12 in 2025, but managed to make it through the draft without being selected.
The Nuggets saw the promise and signed Jones to an Exhibit 10 contract following the draft. Spencer Jones and Tamar Bates had already locked up the first two two-way contracts, but after Curtis’ performance at summer league, he proved worthy of the final spot.
Jones too good of a scorer to let get away
While one could argue that the Nuggets really could have used another big man or point guard, there wasn’t another clear option on the summer league roster. Those spots are for guys who need time to develop in the G-League anyway, and positional need shouldn’t really be factored in.
Instead, these spots should be used for upside swings on talent, and that’s exactly what Jones is. He shot the lights out in multiple games and showcased a smooth, all-around offensive game that’s easy to imagine translating to the NBA someday.
Not crazy to see Jones in Denver in the future
If there’s anything the Nuggets can use more of, it’s likely outside shooting, and there’s a chance Jones can provide that. It may look like a crowded path for Jones to playing time, but we don’t know what Tim Hardaway Jr. has left in the tank, and we don’t know how Julian Strawther will adapt to a bigger role.
It’s not likely, but there’s an outside chance that Jones keeps up his hot scoring and merits consideration for playing time in Denver at some point. Maybe it won’t even be this season, but the way the Nuggets are short on draft capital and assets in general, they could really use lottery tickets like Jones.
It’s nothing earth-shattering, but it’s another savvy, shrewd move on the margins by the Nuggets’ new front office duo of Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace. Hopefully, there are many more like this one coming in the team’s future.