DaRon Holmes Is the Nuggets’ Secret Weapon

Why Denver Bet Big in the Draft

The Nuggets didn’t hesitate to trade up for Holmes. They feared Minnesota would snatch him at No. 27.

His growth at Dayton sealed the deal. Fans were hyped as Denver’s frontcourt had been a weak spot in 2024-25. Zeke Nnaji’s 3.6 points per game and an aging DeAndre Jordan forced Jokic (37+ playoff minutes) and Aaron Gordon to shoulder too much. Holmes, with his two-way potential, was the answer fans craved. A versatile big to ease the load and elevate the title chase.

Holmes’ College Dominance: A Two-Way Star

At Dayton, Holmes was a force, averaging 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game as a junior. He shot 54.4% from the field and a nice 38.6% from three.

He earned Atlantic 10 Player and Defensive Player of the Year honors. Additionally, he added Second Team All-American Honors, showcasing a rare blend of skills: finishing lobs with authority, swatting shots, and popping out for threes.

Though slightly undersized at 6’9” (listed 6’10”), his athleticism and high IQ drew comparisons to Al Horford  X.

https://x.com/TheFieldOf68/status/1743017708935901634

For Nuggets fans, it’s easy to imagine Holmes catching Jokic’s pinpoint passes or locking down the paint. He will add a spark Denver’s bench sorely needs.

A Rookie Season Lost

The excitement around Holmes crashed in July 2024, when he tore his Achilles tendon in his Summer League debut.

He had posted 11 points and 7 rebounds in 26 minutes against the Clippers. The injury sidelined him for all of 2024-25, a gut punch for a 22-year-old ready to prove himself.

Denver felt the sting, too. Without Holmes, their bench struggled, contributing to a Game 7 loss to OKC in the 2025 playoffs. Fans were worried that Holmes would lose part of his explosiveness due to the severity of his Achilles injuries.

Yet Holmes stayed engaged, studying film and learning from Jokic. Thus, he turned a lost season into a foundation for a breakout.

Ready to Shine in 2025-26

Holmes’ resilience is paying off. After getting cleared for the 2025 Summer League, he averaged 11 points and 7 rebounds, and shot 44% from three.

This shows his athleticism and shooting touch are back. At 22, his youth gives him an edge over older Achilles recovery cases.

Holmes spent his rehab year absorbing Jokic’s playmaking genius and Adelman’s schemes. This set the stage for a rookie season that feels more like a sophomore leap.

Addressing Frontcourt Depth

DaRon Holmes II arrives at a critical time for a Nuggets roster desperate for frontcourt depth. Their 2025 playoff exit exposed bench weaknesses. Nikola Jokic logged a grueling 37+ minutes per game in the postseason. Thus, Holmes’s ability to help the MVP is a game-changer.

“I don’t think all rookies are made the same… I think DaRon is one of those guys. He has a high IQ, knows how to play in different styles and scenarios. So, I think he has a very good transmitting plug-and-play,” GM Calvin Booth said.

Holmes’ college stats—20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 38.6% from three at Dayton—offer optimism. He can ease the load on Jokic and Gordon. Unlike Nnaji’s underwhelming 3.6 points per game or DeAndre Jordan’s limited mobility, Holmes offers athleticism. His versatility makes him the reliable backup big fans have been clamoring for.

Versatility in Adelman’s System

In Head Coach David Adelman’s fast-paced, versatile system, Holmes’ two-way skill set shines.

“We want to see him do a little bit of both, play the four and the five. See if he can switch onto some guards,” Summer League coach Andrew Munson said.

This highlights Holmes’ ability to defend multiple positions and stretch defenses with his shooting.

His 38.6% three-point shooting in college pairs perfectly with Jamal Murray’s lobs and Jokic’s playmaking. This allows him to thrive in pick-and-pop or small-ball lineups at power forward.

Holmes’ defensive mobility—2.1 blocks per game at Dayton—shores up Denver’s bench defense, a weak spot in 2024-25. Nuggets fans likely envisioned him as a dynamic fit alongside Jonas Valanciunas’ low-post scoring and Cam Johnson’s floor-spacing sharpshooting.

Long-Term Fit and Potential

Holmes’ arrival isn’t just a short-term fix; it’s a glimpse of Denver’s future.

“I think [Holmes] fits great with Aaron Gordon… long term, he could potentially play in a double-big lineup starting next to Joker,” Booth said.

This signals his potential as a power forward in lineups with Jokic or Gordon. This versatility lets Adelman experiment with creative combinations, like Holmes at the four next to Jokic’s playmaking or Valanciunas’ physicality, stretching defenses thin. 

For Nuggets fans, Holmes represents a spark who could transform the bench. He could keep Denver’s championship window open. 

Denver’s X-Factor for a Title Run

From draft-night hype to injury heartbreak to a triumphant return, DaRon Holmes II’s journey embodies resilience.

As the Nuggets aim to reclaim their 2023 championship form, Holmes could be their secret weapon. He can solve depth issues and keep Jokic fresh for the playoffs. His blend of athleticism, shooting, and defense makes him a perfect fit for Adelman’s vision.

Nuggets fans, keep an eye on Holmes in preseason—he might just be the next playoff hero to light up Ball Arena.