Denver isn't letting him go! Nuggets match Oklahoma's offer

Oklahoma had offered the forward a guaranteed two-year, $12 million contract, but the Colorado-based Nuggets decided to act, determined to retain the player who joined the club as an undrafted free agent in 2024.

This decision has garnered significant attention due to its substantial financial implications for the Nuggets' management. By matching the offer, their projected luxury tax penalty surged from $36 million to an astonishing $68 million. This marks the first time Denver has exceeded the NBA's "second apron" under the current collective bargaining agreement, making them currently the only NBA team above that financial threshold. However, they are expected to attempt to mitigate these hefty penalties through trades before the season concludes.

Nevertheless, Jones has fully justified the coaching staff's trust. Last season, he played 64 games (37 as a starter), averaging 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds, but truly excelled when it mattered most. In the playoffs, he was the league's top shooter from beyond the arc, hitting an incredible 69.2% of his three-point attempts.

Denver's work isn't done yet, as they are simultaneously trying to keep Payton Watson. Significant interest in Watson has emerged from Atlanta, Milwaukee, and the LA Clippers, meaning that matching an offer for Watson could further skyrocket the Nuggets' tax bill.

The drastic nature of this financial shift is highlighted by the fact that since the introduction of the luxury tax in 2002, Denver has paid a total of $53 million in penalties — less than what this single decision will cost them.

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