Curtis Jones did not hear his name called during the 2025 NBA Draft in June. While that is disappointing for a player who feels they’re good enough to be in the league, it also allows them to choose a team of their liking. That’s exactly what Jones did, and he signed with the Denver Nuggets on an Exhibit 10 deal, the day after the second round was completed. After his performance in summer league, Curtis Jones could be in line for the Nuggets open two-way slot.
Nuggets Summer League Standout Could Be In Line For Two-Way
Curtis Jones’ Excellent Summer League Could Make Nuggets Offer Him Two-Way Contract
The Nuggets summer league schedule came to a conclusion on Friday. They finished with a 2-3 record, but finished with a strong performance in their 106-84 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Also ending on a high note in that outing was Jones.
The 6-foot-4 guard finished their summer league finale with 22 points, five rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and a block. Jones was an efficient scorer as well, shooting 9-16 from the field (4-9 from three-point range).
That continued the theme of Jones shooting the ball well in the summer league. The 23-year-old (turns 24 on October 4) appeared in all five of Denver’s summer league contests. In them, he shot 28-51 (54.9%) from the field and 14-30 (46.7%) from beyond the arc. Jones showcased the ability to not only be able to penetrate through the teeth of the opponent’s defense, but also capably knock down outside shots.
Big 12 Player of the Year in 2024-25
One would have to believe that Jones played well enough to at least have the opportunity to earn a two-way contract. It just so happens that the Nuggets have a two-way opening, so a player would not even have to be released to fit him in. They have two players currently on two-way deals in guard Tamar Bates and forward Spencer Jones.
Jones went undrafted despite a strong season as a fifth-year senior at Iowa State in 2024-25. That was his second year with the Cyclones after spending his first two at Buffalo. Previous to that, he played one year for Indian Hills Community College. During his last four years in college, Jones connected on 36.2% of his three-point tries and 80.9% of his free throws.
In both of those shooting categories, Jones shot career-bests last season (37.4% and 84.5% respectively). Playing 30.5 minutes per contest, the Minneapolis native posted averages of 17.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals. Iowa State finished 25-10, falling in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
It is extremely rare to see a player earn both Sixth Man and Player of the Year honors in their league, but that’s exactly what Jones did in the Big 12 in 2024-25. Despite playing more than 30 minutes per game, he only started in nine of his 34 appearances.
Photo credit: © Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The post Nuggets Summer League Standout Could Be In Line For Two-Way appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.