The Denver Nuggets have officially agreed to sign Curtis Jones, a sharpshooting guard from Iowa State, to an NBA contract
following his selection in the undrafted free-agent pool from the 2025 Draft. Here’s a detailed breakdown—what he brings, why Denver is interested, and how this signing could make waves:
🏀 Who Is Curtis Jones?
A seasoned scorer and All-Big 12 standout at Iowa State, Jones averaged 17.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game during his senior year
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He’s a bona fide marksman: 43.0% overall from the field and 37.4% from three-point range in 34 collegiate appearances
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Impressive NCAA résumé: College Hoops Today National Sixth Man of the Year and AP Second-Team All-American
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📋 What Type of Deal is He Getting?
Expect a two-way contract or Exhibit 10 deal—a low-risk, flexible structure that gives him opportunities in both the NBA and G League
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. Denver didn’t have any draft picks but loaded up on undrafted talent like Jones and Tamar Bates, adding cheap shooting and depth
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🎯 Why the Nuggets Signed Him
1. 🔥 Elite Shooting Depth
Denver’s bench struggled from deep last season, and it’s no secret their offense can stall when perimeter shooting dries up. Jones, a volume threat with range, offers the spacing they’ve lacked .
2. 💪 Combines Shooting with Defensive Grit
At 6′3″ with a 6′8″ wingspan, he’s built like a 3-and-D guard. ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg noted, “dynamic scoring guard… shotmaking, explosiveness… playmaking ability has to improve, but he’ll have a chance to earn a roster spot”
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3. 🏆 Fits Denver’s Culture and Timeline
Coming in undrafted, Jones has that tenacious, underdog mindset—just the type of player often embraced by the Nuggets. Ben Hutchens of Quad-City Times said, “Denver could be a great place for Curtis Jones to make a roster because the Nuggets didn’t have any picks in the 2025 NBA Draft”
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🔮 What This Could Mean for Denver
Scenario Outlook
Summer League Jones receives high-leverage minutes and an early chance to prove himself among the camp’s most prolific shooters.
G League He’ll likely develop within the Nuggets’ affiliate, sharpening his playmaking and defensive reads.
NBA Roster Spot Should his shooting translate (especially in catch-and-shoot or spot-up roles), he could crack Denver’s rotation—particularly if bench production is shaky. Injuries to the backcourt would accelerate that path.
Essentially, the Nuggets are taking a low-cost gamble on high upside—a classic two-way strategy that can pay dividends if he can knock down enough threes and defend his position.
🧭 Why It Matters Right Now
Denver is defending their championship window and entering the season without draft capital. This type of savvy, under-the-radar signing is how they bolster roster depth and supplement star power while staying agile in free agency. Jones won’t need to be a starter; this is about fortifying the margins with a single-minded shooter who can punch above his weight—especially in crunch time.
🔚 Bottom Line
The Curtis Jones signing lands squarely in the Nuggets’ comfort zone: analytical, savvy, and low-risk. He’s a pure scorer with serious range, defensive tools, and a chip on his shoulder. If everything clicks, he could be that boom-or-bust spark off the bench who helps refuel an offense that often struggles without perimeter spacing. This isn’t a blockbuster transaction—it’s a smart, strategic move in building sustainable depth.
👉 What to Watch Next
Summer League: His shot accuracy and defensive discipline will set the tone.
Training camp: Will Denver visibly use him in rotation drills, or slot him for G League seasoning?
Rotational opportunity: His path to real NBA minutes hinges on how Denver’s bench shooting holds up—or if injuries and lineup shifts open a door.
Denver’s gamble on Jones shows their willingness to search beyond the headline names for talent—and if he earns a spot, it could prove to be a quietly significant pick-up in their championship chase.
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