In 2024, the Denver Nuggets made their intentions of wanting DaRon Holmes II on the team very clear, both before and during the NBA draft. Prior to the draft, Denver was heavily linked to Holmes II, and in the draft, the Nuggets traded up in order to select him. Sadly, just weeks following the draft, Holmes II tore his achilles during Denver’s first summer league game.
Now, one year later, Holmes II is back, fully recovered, and is already looking better than ever after one summer league game. Even prior to summer league starting, all indications were that the former Dayton big man looked like he was moving well and had gained a good chunk of muscle as well during his recovery. Not only that, but his teammates all seem to love him.
This set the stage for Holmes II to shake off the rust against the Milwaukee Bucks summer league team on Thursday night, but turns out there wasn’t much shaking needed. The 6’10” PF/C didn’t miss a beat and performed incredibly well in 24 minutes, recording 15 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block.
It was also his defensive effort, physicality, and efficiency that should truly make Nuggets fans excited, though. Holmes II shot 6/9 from the field and 3/5 from beyond the arc, stretching the floor with ease. His physicality on the court really stood out, even once resulting in a flagrant one foul, as he accidentally caught Pete Nance with an elbow. All good signs entering this year.
Can Holmes II secure the backup PF spot during the regular season?
The Nuggets added tons of depth and quality players during the offseason, such as Cam Johnson, Nuggets legend Bruce Brown, Jonas Valanciunas, and Tim Hardaway Jr. With fellow young prospects, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther, also on the roster, there are only so many minutes to go around. Regardless, Holmes II seems like the most seamless fit for the backup PF spot.
There is an argument that the Nuggets could play small-ball and primarily give Peyton Watson minutes there, but having P-Wat at SF and Holmes II at PF creates an incredibly good defensive duo with size and athleticism, while keeping both players in their most natural positions. Holmes II also feels like a perfect front-court fit with Valanciunas, who is a true center.
Currently, the only other options at backup PF on the roster outside of Watson and Holmes II would be Zeke Nnaji and a staggering Cam Johnson. Nnaji, on one hand, has had ample opportunities to shine and even showcased a couple of flashes, but it simply hasn’t worked out overall for a variety of reasons. Meanwhile, Johnson would be another small-ball option, as he stands at 6’8”.
Ultimately, Holmes II seems like a pretty clear upgrade over Nnaji and would bring size that Johnson and Watson don’t possess. In the playoffs, the rotation may be reduced, and maybe the Nuggets do simply elect to stagger Aaron Gordon or Johnson with the bench, but for at least the regular season, the pathway for Holmes II to thrive is definitely there.
The former Flyer will get another chance to ball out on Saturday in summer league against the Minnesota Timberwolves.