The Denver Nuggets didn’t make headlines at the trade deadline, but don’t let that fool you - their one move could carry more weight than it seems at first glance. Denver sent rookie forward Hunter Tyson and a second-round pick to Brooklyn in exchange for a future second-rounder, a deal that helped them duck under the luxury tax line.
But the bigger story came in the aftermath: the Nuggets are expected to convert Spencer Jones’ two-way contract into a standard NBA deal. And with the way things are going on the injury front, that move couldn’t come at a better time.
Peyton Watson Out at Least Four Weeks
The injury bug has bitten Denver hard this season, and the latest blow is a tough one. Forward Peyton Watson, in the midst of a breakout campaign, suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. That’s a significant absence for a team already stretched thin.
Watson has been a revelation this year, stepping up in a major way after not receiving an extension before the October deadline. He’s putting up 14.9 points per game on an efficient 50% shooting from the field and a scorching 42% from deep. Add in 4.9 boards, 2.0 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game, and you’ve got a versatile two-way wing who’s become a key cog in Denver’s rotation.
Losing him for at least a month stings - especially considering the timing. Christian Braun is just returning, Aaron Gordon re-aggravated his own hamstring late last month, and Cam Johnson remains sidelined with a hyperextended knee and bone bruise. The Nuggets have been patching things together all season, and just as one piece returns, another goes down.
Spencer Jones’ Role Just Got Even Bigger
Enter Spencer Jones. The rookie forward has been one of the quiet success stories of Denver’s season.
Originally signed to a two-way deal, Jones has played his way into a key rotation role - and at times, into the starting lineup. He’s started 34 of the team’s 46 games, averaging 6.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.9 steals while shooting 50.5% from the field and 41.4% from beyond the arc in 23.6 minutes per game.
Jones’ ability to space the floor and defend multiple positions has made him a valuable 3-and-D presence - and with Watson out, that value just skyrocketed. He’s only taking 2.5 threes per game, but with Watson (who averages 3.7 attempts from deep) sidelined, there’s a real opportunity here for Jones to step up his volume and impact.
There is a caveat, though. Jones is also dealing with an injury of his own.
He left Wednesday’s double-overtime loss to the Knicks after a collision with Karl-Anthony Towns and is currently in concussion protocol. The good news?
Once he’s cleared, he’ll be eligible to return to the floor - and a full NBA contract is reportedly on the way.
Injuries Piling Up, But Denver Keeps Battling
It’s been that kind of season for the Nuggets - every time they seem to get a little healthier, another key player goes down. They’ve managed to stay afloat thanks to depth, development, and a little bit of grit. But as they limp toward the All-Star break, the priority is simple: get healthy and stay that way.
Spencer Jones’ emergence gives Denver a much-needed boost on the wing, but his availability is just as important as his production. With Watson sidelined, Gordon still nursing a hamstring, and Johnson’s return uncertain, the Nuggets are walking a tightrope.
The All-Star break can’t come soon enough for a team that’s been playing with a next-man-up mentality all year. If they can get through this stretch without any more setbacks, they’ll be in a much better position to make a second-half push. But for now, the focus is survival - and hoping that the worst of the injury storm is finally behind them.