The Denver Nuggets have been slowly but surely filling out the roster as the offseason has progressed. But they had been curiously slow in filling one of the two available two-way contract spots, while they had the perfect solution to add depth to the roster while holding his draft rights. However, the wait to sign Bryce Hopkins to that two-way spot is now over, and the Nuggets have an added depth piece that should have the same chance as Spencer Jones did last season to make an impact.
The Denver Nuggets and Bryce Hopkins have agreed to a two-way deal, Mark Bartelstein and Reggie Brown of @PrioritySports confirmed to @hoopshype. Hopkins was the 49th pick of the 2026 NBA Draft. The former Providence and St John’s star was a two-time All-Big East selection. pic.twitter.com/fQ63mShRiV
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 26, 2026
Per the update from Michael Scotto, the Nuggets have made it official with Hopkins, the 49th pick of the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft. And while the signing of a two-way player is usually a little bit of a ho-hum move and an afterthought, the Nuggets showed last year with Jones that a two-way player may only be a bad-luck injury away from getting the chance to make an impact.
Hopkins should get a good chance to see playing time
Last season, Jones started out the year on a two-way contract and blossomed into a key member of the Nuggets' rotation after injuries depleted the lineup, and was rewarded with a two-year $12 million contract. Hopkins may not have to wait for injuries to get a shot at making an impact.
Hopkins showed during his Las Vegas Summer League debut that he's got the explosive, athletic, downhill attack that the Nuggets could use. He's physical, almost drawing himself into contact on drives, and that was missing from the Nuggets last year, especially against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. He's a big wing, and he uses his strong, 6-foot-7, 220-lb frame to his advantage.
With the Nuggets' overall lack of depth, Hopkins could have a chance to make an impact right away. The Nuggets have just Alpha Diallo, an unproven 29-year-old defensive specialist with no NBA experience, as the backup small forward, or Julian Strawther, who can play on the wing, but his defense is very poor, and it's limited his run in the rotation in the past.
The Nuggets have now signed both of their draft picks
Hopkins' signing officially means the Nuggets have signed both of their 2026 second-round draft picks. The team had inked Trevon Brazile, the 35th pick of the second round, to a four-year, $9.3 million contract early in the offseason.
The Nuggets needed to get this deal done with Hopkins. After the Peyton Watson trade, the Nuggets needed to add some youth to the roster. Now, they've got the 24-year-old Hopkins and 23-year-old Brazile locked up and ready to develop for 2026-27.
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