Nuggets sign 2026 second-round pick to two-way contract

The Denver Nuggets have reached an agreement with rookie forward Bryce Hopkins, signing their 49th overall pick in the second-round of the 2026 NBA Draft to a two-way contract Wednesday.

The 23-year-old earned second-team All-Big East honors during his most recent college season with St John’s. He averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals across 37 games while shooting 46.9% from the field and 36.3% from three-point range.

Hopkins’ latest college season was his first full campaign since he suffered an ACL tear in January 2024. He finished his college career with the Red Storm after spending one season at Kentucky and three seasons at Providence.

The rookie also impressed during the Las Vegas Summer League. Across four games, Hopkins averaged 18.0 points and 6.5 rebounds in 25.9 minutes per game, giving Denver another look at his production following the draft.

Hopkins now joins KJ Simpson and Julian Reese among the Nuggets’ two-way players, although Reese is expected to be waived. Before Hopkins signed, Simpson was Denver’s only player on a two-way contract.

The Nuggets also have 35th overall pick Trevon Brazile under contract, meaning both of their 2026 draft selections are now signed. Denver has 14 players on traditional contracts following the recent addition of DeMar DeRozan, while two roster spots remain available.

Hopkins is expected to spend plenty of time with the Nuggets G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gold, during the 2026-27 season. Before he can take on a bigger role in Denver, he’ll need to show he can hold his own defensively and prove his outside shot can carry over to the NBA.

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