2024 first-round pick DaRon Holmes II has yet to make his NBA debut, and it doesn’t sound like he will have much of a role this year with the Denver Nuggets. According to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post, Holmes will be continuing his development this year at Grand Rapids.
“Nuggets are planning to send 2024 first-round pick DaRon Holmes II down to Grand Rapids to develop in the G League throughout this season, he tells @DenverPost,” Durando tweeted. “Team doesn’t want to rush him. Holmes missed last season with a torn Achilles.”
Nuggets Make Decision On Recent First-Round Pick
Holmes was a four-star recruit in college and left Dayton after three seasons. The 23-year-old forward, who was a second-team all-A-10 selection in 2023-2024, was chosen with the No. 22 pick in that June’s draft by the Phoenix Suns. However, on draft night, the Suns flipped him to the Nuggets for the 28th and 56th overall picks in the 2024 draft, along with second-round picks in 2026 and 2031.
Holmes officially signed his rookie contract on July 9 and was part of Denver’s 2024 Summer League squad. But the 23-year-old forward suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in his Summer League. So, he spent the whole season rehabbing and recuperating.
Holmes made his return to the court in the Summer League, where he was highly efficient and produced two double-doubles. The 6-9 forward didn’t see much action in the preseason – totaling 35 minutes over five appearances — but he was efficient and knocked down 3 of 7 from deep.
Denver, under new management team and coaching staff, upgraded its roster this offseason after falling in the conference semifinals in each of the last two seasons. The Nuggets swapped Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson while also bringing in Jonas Valanciunas for Dario Saric. Additionally, they added Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown in free agency.
Nuggets Being Patient With DaRon Holmes
So, it is not surprising that the Nuggets are taking the patient approach—the Nuggets figure to be an NBA playoff team and a potential title contender. Plus, David Adelman used 10 players in their 137-131 overtime loss to Golden State on Thursday, including two-way forward Spencer Jones instead of Holmes. Plus, Zeke Nnaji also projects to be ahead of Holmes on the depth chart.
Even though Denver is giving Holmes some seasoning time in the G-League this season, the Nuggets seem to be interested in Holmes. The Nuggets exercised his $3.3 million third-year option.
Holmes is an athletic and talented forward who shoots it well from beyond the arc. A natural shot-blocker due to his Basketball IQ, his defense is far ahead of his offense. While his offensive game is still evolving, particularly his perimeter shooting, he thrives around the rim and on the offensive glass. He is an excellent finisher around the rim and possesses a nice touch on hooks and short rolls.
Denver (0-1) hosts Phoenix (1-0) on Saturday night, completely healthy, so don’t expect Holmes to get more than “garbage time.” They then travel to Minnesota on Monday and host New Orleans on Wednesday.
While Holmes projects to be on the bench for the Nuggets’ game against the Suns, he will likely be assigned to Grand Rapids on Monday. The Gold hosts training camp from Oct. 27 to Nov. 6. The Gold opens the Tip-Off portion of their schedule at home on November 7 against the Noblesville Boom (Indiana).
© Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images
The post Nuggets Make Decision On Recent First Round Pick Ahead Of Second Game Of Season appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.