Former Colorado Buffaloes star point guard KJ Simpson is heading back to Colorado. It was announced that Simpson is signing a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets.
In the summer of 2024, Simpson was selected with the 42nd overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2024 NBA Draft. He signed a two-way deal with Charlotte and remained with the team until February 6, when he was waived. Now the three-year starter in Boulder returns to the state as a member of the Nuggets.
Denver was able to sign Simpson after converting former CU Pac 12 rival Stanford’s Spencer Jones’ two-way contract into a standard NBA deal for the remainder of the season.Simpson is an intriguing pickup for the Nuggets. He played in 36 games this season for Charlotte, averaging 7.8 points while shooting 34.6 percent from the field. The numbers are not eye-popping, but Denver clearly sees something worth investing in.
The Nuggets are planning to sign former Charlotte Hornets guard KJ Simpson to a two-way NBA deal, sources tell ESPN. Simpson averaged 7.3 points and 21.3 minutes over 50 games in 1 ½ seasons in Charlotte. He takes Spencer Jones’ slot after Jones is converted to a standard deal. https://t.co/X4ZUkcGzzA
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 19, 2026
He shot 26.6 percent from 3-point range with the Hornets and 24.1 percent in the G League. Still, this Nuggets staff has built a reputation for developing young players’ jump shots. Christian Braun, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther have all made noticeable strides from beyond the arc early in their careers thanks to the organization’s development system.
Simpson could be the Nuggets’ next project. If Denver can help refine his three-point shooting and put him in a system with a proven track record of growth, there is a real opportunity to elevate his overall game. Buffs Nation loved Simpson in Boulder. Now at 23 years old, the former college star returns just a short drive from campus, looking to reset and reignite his career in Denver.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: KJ Simpson signs two-way contract with Denver Nuggets
