Spencer Jones is thankful for the Nuggets' Puerto Rico trip.
With the season almost here, it's time for the Denver Nuggets and their nearly-completed roster to dial in in preparation for a new pursuit for a NBA championship against a Western Conference and league as a whole that has improved around them.
This will be a critical season for the Nuggets as they look to re-assert themselves as a premier threat in the NBA after an injury-riddled 2025-26 season and a shocking first-round exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
But while this summer has been full of work on the court for the Nuggets, another crucial aspect of preparing for the season is for the team to rejuvenate their connection off the court as well. As much as talent is a critical factor in the NBA, chemistry is just as key and the bets way to promote that chemistry and connection is with team-bonding.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones (21) plays defense in the second half during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Jesse Johnson-Imagn ImagesThe Importance of Fun
For many teams in the NBA, the best way to undergo some bonding is with a team trip, and the Nuggets are no exception to that policy.
Earlier in the offseason the Nuggets took a trip to Puerto Rico that by the looks of it was a trip full of relaxing on the water and resetting ahead of the season.
After the turmoil of last season, a trip like that could be exactly what the Nuggets needed and in a lengthy LinkedIn post, Spencer Jones shared exactly why the trip was so refreshing for the roster.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) and Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones (21) during the first quarter at Ball Arena. Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesJones described the trip as a time where the Nuggets "hooped a little, hung out a lot and started getting comfortable before the season kicks off."
Why Denver's Trip Was Important
He went on to recap the offseason, calling it a "loud offseason" that involved the loss of some players and the addition of some others and described the best parts of the trip having nothing to do with basketball, but rather the importance of the fun they had together between concerts, boating and team dinners.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) stands beside forward Spencer Jones (21) during a break in play against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Kevin Sousa-Imagn ImagesThe NBA, like any professional sport, comes with a lot of pressure and intensity. Those aspects of the league lead to competitiveness and a good product on the court, but over time that same pressure and intensity can weigh heavily on a player's mind, if not an entire roster's.
With basketball being such a mental game, any kind of funk or burnout can spiral quickly into disaster and create a whole that's hard to escape from.
That's why taking some time to actually enjoy themselves and connect with each other on a human level can be so important for a team like the Nuggets and with their fun in the sun out of the way, their minds are clear and the season is wide open for them to get back to dominance.
