Spencer Jones led all eligible players with a 69.2% shooting percentage from 3-point range in the playoffs.
After an offseason of trades, the Oklahoma City Thunder will have to keep looking to add to their bench depth.
The Denver Nuggets have opted to match an offer sheet to restricted free agent Spencer Jones – the Thunder reportedly proposed a fully guaranteed $12 million over two years on Saturday. Denver had until the end of the day on Sunday to match the deal and keep Jones or let him join OKC. ESPN’s Shams Charania was first to break the news.
https://t.co/eDIRujBFkr pic.twitter.com/BkpggPXH4V
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) July 27, 2026
By matching Jones' sheet, the Nuggets face a $32 million increase in current luxury taxes ($36M to $68M) and enter the second apron. They are deep in tax bills but could shed money via trades in season.
Next Denver order of business: Navigate retaining RFA Peyton Watson while… https://t.co/N5arhPRTjM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 27, 2026
Jones carved out a solid role for himself down the stretch with the Nuggets, averaging 5.5 points on 50.4% shooting during the regular season while starting 37 games. He saw his averages go up to 6.5 points over 24 minutes in the playoffs, shooting 69.2% from 3-point range in a six-game series against the Timberwolves.
The 6-foot-7 forward would have been the first new free agency addition for the Thunder, who have re-signed their own players in Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams this offseason but otherwise have made trades to send Aaron Wiggins and Lu Dort to the Hawks and Isaiah Joe to the Pistons for draft picks.
The Nuggets had just over 24 hours to make a decision on Jones, who joins Peyton Watson as key restricted free agents for the team. Denver saw Tim Hardaway Jr. leave to join the Heat earlier this offseason, but brought back Tyus Jones and signed Marvin Bagley III to one-year deals.
