Spencer Jones sidelined, Nuggets test depth with Brazile and newcomer Diallo

The Denver Nuggets are adjusting their early-season plans after forward Spencer Jones was diagnosed with a left hamstring strain following an MRI over the weekend, according to the Denver Post. Jones is considered day-to-day, but the team plans to be conservative with his recovery as the regular season approaches.

Jones, who returned to Denver on a two-year deal after the Nuggets matched an offer sheet from the Thunder, may see little or no action during the preseason as he works back from the injury. Head coach David Adelman told reporters the forward will follow a step-by-step progression that includes controlled one-on-one, three-on-three and eventually five-on-five work before being cleared fully.

“We’ve gotta be careful with Spence, man. That’s our backup four,” Adelman said, noting that Jones can also slide to other frontcourt spots when healthy. The organization’s target is to have him ready for Denver’s regular-season opener in Oklahoma City on October 22, but that will depend on how his hamstring responds to treatment.

Brazile steps in as backup, Adelman eyes 10-man rotation

With Jones sidelined, rookie forward Trevon Brazile is handling backup power forward duties for Sunday’s season opener, giving the first-year player an early opportunity in Adelman’s rotation. It’s an early indication that the Nuggets are willing to lean on younger depth pieces while veterans ramp up.

Even after losing some depth in the offseason, Adelman still plans to rely on his bench. He said during training camp that his ideal approach is to open the season with a 10-man rotation, similar to last year, before naturally trimming it as the schedule wears on. With a veteran core, the Nuggets see spreading minutes early as a way to manage workload and keep players fresher down the stretch.

Cameron Johnson more comfortable, Nuggets add Alpha Diallo

Forward Cameron Johnson is another key piece of that depth. Traded from the Brooklyn Nets to Denver in the 2025 offseason, he endured a slow start in his first year as a Nugget and told the Denver Gazette he would erase the opening weeks of the 2025-26 campaign if he could. Adelman pointed out that it can be difficult to immediately blend into a group that has played together for years, but said Johnson now looks far more comfortable and has a better rapport with his teammates.

The Nuggets also bolstered their wing rotation by signing forward Alpha Diallo to a minimum-salary contract this summer. Diallo arrives from AS Monaco, where he won three domestic titles in France and was named EuroLeague Best Defender in 2026. Director of pro scouting Dethie Fall told the Denver Post that Denver tracked Diallo for several years, initially viewing him as a potential two-way candidate before deciding he had the profile of a true lockdown defender worthy of a standard deal.

How quickly Jones recovers, how Brazile handles his new responsibilities, and how smoothly Johnson and Diallo settle into their roles will shape the first phase of Denver’s title chase as the team leans on depth to navigate the opening months.