The Denver Nuggets have officially signed Spencer Jones to a standard NBA contract, allowing him to compete for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs. This decision, confirmed by a league source to The Denver Post, comes after a series of developments that impacted Jones’ standing with the team.
The Nuggets faced a deadline on February 8, 2024, to fill their active roster, as teams are required to maintain a minimum number of players. Jones has been a vital component of Denver’s rotation this season under a two-way contract, primarily stepping in for Aaron Gordon, who has been dealing with injuries. Players on two-way contracts are limited to appearing in 50 NBA games per season, which contributed to the urgency for Denver to convert Jones’ contract.
Jones’ transition from a two-way deal to a standard contract was initially delayed after he suffered a concussion on the same day he reached his game limit, February 4, in a match against the New York Knicks. Following this incident, the Nuggets traded Hunter Tyson to adjust their payroll, ensuring they remained under the luxury tax and creating a second roster spot. The team decided to wait for Jones to recover from his concussion before finalizing the contract conversion, which allows teams to prorate salaries based on the remaining duration of the season.
During the All-Star break, David Adelman, head coach of the Nuggets, noted that contract negotiations were progressing slowly due to Jones’ concussion. “The negotiation that’s going on there obviously is being slow-played because of the concussion,” Adelman stated. The Nuggets aimed to have a full roster as they headed into the playoffs, balancing the addition of players with the need to stay under the salary cap.
Adelman confirmed on February 7 that the front office continues to explore options for potential buyout candidates and replacements for Jones in the two-way contract slots, now that his contract has been converted. Currently, the Nuggets have two other two-way players: undrafted rookie guards Curtis Jones and Tamar Bates.
Jones, who went undrafted, joined the Nuggets nearly a month after the 2024 NBA Draft to fill their last available two-way spot. He is the only player from that draft class retained for a second year under the new front office led by Tenzer and Wallace. With Aaron Gordon struggling with a recurring hamstring strain, Jones’ addition back into the rotation is timely. He has started 34 games this season, demonstrating impressive skills with a shooting percentage of 41.4% from beyond the arc and effectively defending against top players in the league.
Adelman emphasized Jones’ value to the team, saying, “What Spencer has done for us this year has been beyond a small impact. He’s guarded some of the best players in the league. He’s a big part of what we’ve done.”
As the Nuggets prepare for their matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers following the All-Star break, Jones’ return adds depth to a roster seeking to solidify its playoff aspirations. With Gordon’s ongoing injury concerns and other players sidelined, Jones’ presence will be crucial in the upcoming games.