The Denver Nuggets needed to fill their final roster spot with someone they could get on a minimum salary to finish out the season. The best option for the Nuggets was the buyout acquisition of Tyus Jones. They brought him in for backcourt depth, not really thinking they'd need the 11-year veteran at any point in the playoffs. But they needed ball control against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Jones showed just what he needed to show when they put him on the floor to warrant a return next year.
Jones was an afterthought for the final 19 games of the regular season, only seeing meaningful playing time as the starter in the final two games while the starters sat out for rest. But given the Nuggets have stated that ball control is one of their pressing needs for next year. They should have the free agent Jones penciled in for a bench role on a veteran minimum contract.
The Nuggets need help at a minimum price
Jones showed impeccable ball control against the Timberwolves, committing no turnovers in his 30 minutes of floor time and finishing with 5 assists and 9 points over that span. That's solid production backing up Jamal Murray while protecting the rock.
On the other hand, the Nuggets had players like Bruce Brown commit 3 turnovers in each of the last two games of the series, and Jonas Valanciunas commit 5 turnovers over his 25 playoff minutes.
Ball control wasn't a highlight for the Nuggets, and they seem reluctant to dig into their youth and try out Jalen Pickett, a trait that has carried over from the Michael Malone days. This makes Jones, at only 30, an even more obvious choice for the Nuggets to bring back.
The Nuggets' salary constraints make Jones a likely option
With the Nuggets far over the first apron and pushing up against the second apron, their hands will be tied on spending on free agents. Jones will likely be on a minimum contract after the buyout year, which fits the Nuggets perfectly for the final roster spots. He needs to be one of the options on the board.
The Nuggets currently only have 10 players under contract, plus the first-round pick spot, leaving them with four roster spots to fill before re-signing Peyton Watson. They lack flexibility unless they want to get creative and make a trade or two to shake things up.
But if the Nuggets don't, and they're just going to bring back most of the roster, Jones needs to be one of the minimum contracts they sign.
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