Shams CharaniaFeb 19, 2026, 10:05 AM
CloseShams Charania is a senior NBA insider for ESPN. Charania reports NBA news and information across ESPN platforms and also contributes to ESPN’s exclusive coverage of the NBA draft. Charania has previously worked for FanDuel TV, Stadium, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, RealGM and ChicagoNow. He is a Chicago native and graduated from Loyola University in 2017.
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The Denver Nuggets are converting two-way Spencer Jones to a standard NBA contract for the remainder of the season, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
Jones, 24, will become a restricted free agent in June.
Jones has started 34 of 46 games for the Nuggets in his sophomore campaign, averaging 6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 23.6 minutes and 41.4% shooting from 3-point range. He has played a critical rotation role for a Nuggets team depleted with injuries to the frontcourt this season. Jones is also making 41% on his catch and shoot 3s and holding opponents to 45% shooting as the closest defender, per ESPN Research.
If Jones starts seven more games, he becomes the first player to earn the starter criteria qualifying offer as a straight two-way-to-standard deal conversion.