DaRon

Holmes II

Holmes, who ruptured his right Achilles tendon during a Summer League game in July, was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice. While this is a step in the right direction, he will not appear in a game this season. The Nuggets applied for and received a disabled player exception in August, which makes it official that Holmes will not see action. However, the first-round pick’s progress is worth tracking for those competing in dynasty leagues.

The exception, worth an estimated $1.53 million, is related to the Achilles tendon tear suffered by first-round pick DaRon Holmes II at the NBA 2K25 Summer League in July. At the time of the injury, it was reported that he was “unlikely” to play this season. The exception makes that official, and Holmes should only be considered in dynasty drafts as a player to stash for the future. As for the financial implications of the exception, Denver would still have to free up a roster spot to use it to add a player to the roster.

This injury is a brutal turn of events for the Nuggets’ first-round pick, who had been playing well in his summer league debut. Holmes was projected to factor into the team’s frontcourt rotation, possibly as Nikola Jokic’s backup, with some minutes at power forward also possible. This injury frees up additional minutes for the recently signed Dario Saric, while the Nuggets will also need Zeke Nnaji to step up after a disappointing 2023-24 campaign. Holmes can be selected in dynasty leagues, especially if managers have ample IL+ slots to work with.

Holmes was connected to the Nuggets throughout the pre-draft process, with the team trading up to select him (via the Suns) with the 22nd overall pick in Wednesday’s first round. An elite rim protector while at Dayton, there could be times when Holmes shares the court with the less athletic Nikola Jokic. “I definitely see (playing the four) in the future, especially the way the game is now,” Holmes said, according to the Denver Post. “You look at the Grizzlies. They just got Zach Edey. They’re probably gonna play him and JJ (Jaren Jackson Jr.) together. I think that’s perfectly fine for me. Small-ball five will be good at times. I don’t think that will be an all-time thing for me. I’m probably not gonna start at the five if I’m gonna be a starter (someday).” Denver currently has Aaron Gordon as its starting power forward, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon. However, there will be times when Holmes is on the court with the Jokic, and the four may be his quickest path to a starting role due to the Joker’s importance to the franchise.

Another elite Dayton big man is on his way to the NBA. Four years after Obi Toppin became a lottery pick, Holmes has the potential to make his mark in the Association. A decorated big man who was a consensus All-American and earned Atlantic 10 Player and Defensive Player of the Year honors, Holmes averaged 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.1 blocks, and 1.0 3-pointers as a junior. Listed at 6-foot-9, Holmes will be a bit undersized for an NBA center, but he was better defensively when playing off the ball than when he was included in ball-screen actions. This pick is headed to Denver, and the expectation of many during the draft process was that the Nuggets were targeting Holmes. There’s a clear need for frontcourt depth and athleticism in Denver, which opens the door for Holmes to play immediately.