The Denver Nuggets are matching the Oklahoma City Thunder’s two-year, $12 million offer sheet on forward Spencer Jones ahead of Sunday night’s deadline, ESPN reported.
The Thunder had offered Jones, a restricted free agent, the fully-guaranteed contract on Saturday, and the Nuggets had until 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday to keep the 25-year-old.
Denver had signed the undrafted free agent out of Stanford to a two-way contract in 2024 and converted it into a regular contract in February.
Jones averaged 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 22.1 minutes in 64 regular-season games (37 starts) last season. He shot 50.4% (132 of 262) from the field. He started three of six playoff games for the Nuggets and averaged 6.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 24.2 minutes.
For his career, Jones averages 4.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 18.4 minutes in 84 regular-season games (37 starts) over two seasons.
ESPN reported that Denver’s retention of Jones means a $32 million increase in current luxury taxes to $68 million and entry into the second apron.
The Oklahoman reported that the Thunder have one open roster sport after trading wing Luguentz Dort to the Atlanta Hawks on July 19 and are about $6.9 million under the second apron.
