The Denver Nuggets have already declined the team option on Jalen Pickett, and they just waived backup center Jonas Valanciunas to save on cap space. Now, they risk watching Spencer Jones sign an offer sheet elsewhere, forcing them to counter and match for the restricted free agent. Perhaps that's the plan as the Nuggets pursue LeBron James and Peyton Watson. But it's a dangerous plan if that's their goal.
Jones didn't say how things are going one way or another in the video that was shared of him talking about his contract dealings. He mainly said that he's "fielding offers...potentially a new job in a new place." Maybe he's putting out a subtle hint to the Nuggets that they'd better make a move sooner or later.
Or maybe this is exactly what the Nuggets want? Their hope is probably that no one else wanted to offer a spot to Jones at the price he may be asking, and they may have played that hand right. There aren't too many roster spots left to fill around the league, and the Nuggets just happen to have the most bench space available of any team at the moment. But they should act sooner or later to bring Jones back.
The Nuggets should try to keep Jones
Spencer Jones was great filling in when he was needed last year, and he showed hustle and heart quite a few times. He's not going to be the most attractive free agent on the market, but he's young, physical, and despite an awkward release on his jumper, he can shoot the three-ball surprisingly well, registering a stellar 39.6% in 2025-26. And he'll buy into the Nuggets' system like he did last year.
Jones wasn't a big scorer, at 5.5 points in the 64 games he played, 37 starts, but he wasn't supposed to be. He began the year on a two-way contract, his second in two years with the Nuggets. He did exactly what was asked of him: knock down some open threes, play some defense, and hustle.
And when the playoffs hit, Jones was still there, starting in place of the injured Aaron Gordon, scoring 20 points and providing the spark the Nuggets needed to force a Game 6 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
But at this point in the free-agency game, Jones may be a better option than what the Nuggets will find left on the market to start rounding out the roster. The Nuggets can only offer the veteran's minimum to anyone who isn't a free agent of their own. It makes for tough work. It's just another reason to bring back Jones, even if it's for a little more than minimum salary.
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