By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Denver Nuggets continue to invest heavily in the roster around Nikola Jokic, matching the fully guaranteed two-year, $12 million offer sheet Spencer Jones received from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The decision carries a significant financial cost. Retaining the 25-year-old forward adds approximately $32 million to Denver’s luxury-tax bill and pushes the franchise above the second tax apron.
Jones averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 22 minutes across 64 appearances last season, including 37 starts. More importantly for the Nuggets, he shot 40% from three-point range on 144 attempts during the regular season and converted nine of his 13 shots from beyond the arc in the playoffs.
With Jones secured, the Nuggets will turn their attention to restricted free agent Peyton Watson, who has reportedly attracted interest from the Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers. Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks last season while shooting 41% from three-point range.
Watson could accept his $6.5 million qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent in 2027. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Denver’s projected tax bill would already reach $112 million in that scenario. That figure would rise substantially if the Nuggets retain Watson on a more lucrative contract, further increasing the cost of keeping a competitive roster around Jokic.
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