Should the Denver Nuggets be worried about Spencer Jones and OKC?
Restricted free agent Spencer Jones has signed a two-year, $12 million offer sheet with the Oklahoma City Thunder, giving the Denver Nuggets until the end of the day on Sunday to match the deal.
Jones is coming off a season where he averaged 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists while shooting 50% from the field and 39% from three. He showed strong defensive traits as a point-of-attack defender and disruptor.
He played in 64 games, starting in 37 of them due to various injuries to Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, and Aaron Gordon, showing his versatility in the lineup.
He proved to be a strong role player and a guy who was ready for the playoffs, showing a competitive level against the Minnesota Timberwolves that many on the team seemed to lack by the end of the series.
Should Denver Match?
On the surface, it seems like an easy match for the Nuggets. $6 million per season for a 25-year-old three-and-D player is a bargain for any team.
The numbers go beyond how much Denver will be paying Jones on his contract.
Matching the deal brings Denver's repeater luxury tax bill from $36.4 million to $68.6 million. While they'll be paying Jones just $6 million, they'll be paying another $32.2 million in luxury tax on top of that. Effectively, this deal will cost Denver $38.2 million for a bench player.
The Kroenkes don't lack money; they're some of the richest owners in the NBA, but maybe their money would be better allocated elsewhere for the team.
Keeping Peyton Watson
The Nuggets can justify letting Jones walk to a rival team if they reach an agreement with Peyton Watson, who is also a restricted free agent.
Retaining Watson and not having to trade a starter would be justifiable for Denver, though it's also going to put them into a high luxury tax bill and possibly the second apron. Denver can't afford to lose Jones and Braun, Watson or Cameron Johnson just because the owners don't want to pay what they can afford in luxury tax.
The Nuggets are still one of the top teams in the Western Conference, a spot they'll hold as long as they have Nikola Jokic on the team. Losing two top-eight players for what could be nothing just because the owners don't want to pay extra in taxes doesn't send a positive message to the fanbase or Jokic.
Denver shouldn't panic over Oklahoma City's offer sheet for Jones. They should make decisions that keep the team competitive at any cost.
