The Los Angeles Lakers have a golden opportunity to capitalize on the severe financial limitations the Denver Nuggets are projected to face during the 2026 offseason. Denver is just $2,579,572 shy of the second apron and must negotiate new contracts with free agents Spencer Jones and Peyton Watson—all the while searching ways to improve a roster that lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Though Watson is the understandable marquee target for the Lakers, Jones has the potential to be a fairly low-cost investment in the defensive-minded forward the purple and gold desperately need.
Jones, 24, went undrafted in 2024 and appeared in just 20 NBA games during his rookie season. When injuries decimated the Nuggets' rotation in 2025-26, however, he became an unlikely hero, starting 37 of his 64 appearances and helping Denver overcome a litany of losses.
The former Stanford Cardinal star posted averages that translated to 8.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 offensive boards, 1.3 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 1.4 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
Though those numbers may not jump off the page, Jones proved to be a tenacious and versatile defender for a team that outscored opponents by 1.6 points per 100 possessions when he was on the court. He also shot 39.6 percent from beyond the arc.
Jones' ideal salary and contract length certainly leave much to be debated, but if the Nuggets can't match even a team-friendly salary as they aspire to re-sign Watson, the Lakers should swoop in.
Spencer Jones is the 3-and-D forward Lakers desperately need
Jones was a low-usage player on the offensive end of the floor, but he still has skills that the Lakers should covet. For instance, he shot 39.6 percent on catch-and-shoot three-point field goals and buried 40.6 percent of his wide-open threes.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, ranked dead last in catch-and-shoot threes made and don't necessarily have players in the pipeline who can help address that flaw.
Jones also came up with 3.2 deflections per 36 minutes, which would've ranked fourth on the Lakers behind Jake LaRavia, Marcus Smart, and Jarred Vanderbilt. He had an average speed of 4.26 miles per hour on defense, which speaks to his constant activity. Among Lakers players, only Vanderbilt posted a higher mark.
All of this is to say that Jones is a tenacious defensive player who doesn't have to be told to compete—thus making him the type of forward the Lakers need to sign.
Spencer Jones has the defensive versatility the Lakers need
In addition to playing with impressive energy and intensity, Jones is one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA. In 2025-26, he ranked No. 4 in the Association in defensive positional versatility, per Basketball Index.
Jones also finished in the 92nd percentile in defensive matchup difficulty—and thrived despite the quality and unpredictability of his assignments.
According to Basketball Index, Jones ranked in the 92nd percentile in perimeter isolation defense and the 87th percentile in ball screen navigation. He also finished in the 76th percentile in rim protection, the 88th percentile in screer mobile defense, and the 97th percentile in post defense.
Even if Jones' offensive game never evolves beyond being a spot-up shooter, his defensive versatility and energy make him a tremendous 3-and-D option for the Lakers in free agency.
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