It has now been nearly two and a half months since the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the Denver Nuggets in six games during the opening round of the playoffs. It was the third time in the last four years that the two teams squared off in postseason basketball, and Minnesota has advanced in the last two meetings.
A large rivalry has been established, and the Timberwolves could have a chance to make Denver like them even less. Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports is speculating that the Nuggets may not bring back restricted free agent Spencer Jones.
I think Alpha Diallo is going to play next season and wonder if this could spell the end for Spencer Jones 🛑 pic.twitter.com/rRDUT1Wd8p
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) July 12, 2026
Jones would be a nice player for the Wolves to bring in to help fill their need at power forward.
Jones would help fill the power forward void
On Sunday, it was announced that the Nuggets were signing Alpha Diallo to a one-year deal. The 29-year-old forward has never played in the NBA, but is coming off a year in the EuroLeague where he was named their Defensive Player of the Year. Peyton Watson is a restricted free agent, but most expect Denver to retain him. Those two will make their depth chart of wings a crowded one, and it could allow Denver to let Jones find employment elsewhere.
Standing at 6-foot-7, Jones started three of the six games at power forward in that first-round meeting with the Wolves, in the three outings that Aaron Gordon was sidelined.
While not high volume, the now 25-year-old was lights out from deep despite Denver getting eliminated. He made 39.6 percent of his triples in the regular season and shot 69.2 percent in the playoffs. There's a chance that the Nuggets will renounce Jones’ rights, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Barring a move such as clearing out Josh Green’s contract, all the Timberwolves will be able to offer Jones is a minimum deal. They would have to sell him on a likely spot in the rotation, as well as being a member of a team with championship aspirations (they could also sell him on the idea of joining Denver’s biggest rival after they let him go).
Starting last season on a two-way contract, Jones exceeded all expectations. He was a clear 3-and-D player who started 37 games. The Nuggets rewarded his play by converting his contract to a standard one in mid-February.
The Timberwolves have had a very solid offseason, highlighted by trading for the star lead guard they so desperately wanted in LaMelo Ball. They clearly need more at the power forward position, even after signing Trey Lyles. Bringing in Jones would help fill that hole a great deal, all while snagging a promising young player from their rivals.
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