Shams: The Nuggets are about to make Spencer Jones a permanent player and sign former Hornets guard KJ Simpson.

2026-02-19 05:45

According to ESPN's Shams Charania on Wednesday, the Denver Nuggets are close to converting forward Spencer Jones' two-way contract to a standard contract. The two sides expect the contract to run until the end of the season, at which point Jones will become a restricted free agent.

Jones, 24, went undrafted in the 2024 draft and only played 20 regular season games for the Nuggets last season. However, with the Nuggets' frontcourt plagued by injuries, Jones quickly became an important member of the Nuggets' rotation.

So far this season, Jones has played 46 regular season games for the Nuggets, averaging 6.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 23.6 minutes per game, with a field goal percentage of 50.5% and a three-point percentage of 41.4%. When playing close defense, he can even limit opponents to a field goal percentage of 45%.

The Nuggets plan to use the two-way roster spot freed up by Jones's promotion to a regular player to acquire former Hornets guard KJ Simpson. The 23-year-old Simpson, the 42nd overall pick in the second round of the 2024 draft, has played 50 games for the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.0 steals in 21.3 minutes per game, with a 34.6% field goal percentage and a 26.6% three-point percentage.

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