With a record of 50-32 in 2024-25, the Nuggets ranked fourth in the Western Conference. Denver forced Game 7 in the match semi-final against OKC. However, they lost and their season ended in the second round.
There wasn’t much talk about the Nuggets’ summer league team during the offseason. However, Daron Holmes II provided a show for fans on Thursday night. In a Denver victory of 81-76, Holmes scored a team-high 19 points, with 17 rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Daron Holmes proves he’s ready for the first year of the NBA Operations
Denver Nuggets Big Man Darren Holmes II in the NBA Summer League tonight
19 points
17 rebounds
5 assists
2 steals
8/16 fg
1/3 3p
2/3 feet pic.twitter.com/SSXE0XH799– No ceiling (@noceilingsnba) July 18, 2025
At the 22nd pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Nuggets chose Dayton’s Daron Holmes. The 22-year-old played for the flyer for three seasons before being taken away by Denver. Last year, Holles suffered from Achilles’ tears in his first summer league game with the Nuggets. He was forced to miss his recovery and recovery throughout the 2024-25 season.
A year later, Holmes was 100% healthy and dominated the summer league. In the first game of injury, Holmes scored 15 points, 4 rebounds and a block. In the recent outing, Holmes scored a team-high 19 points, with 17 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. He shot 50% from the field and flashed his skills for Denver.
Daron Holmes tore from Achilles in his first game:
15 points
4 rebounds
1 piece
66.7%fg
60%3pt
Nuggets lead scorerGreat performance in his first game 🔥 pic.twitter.com/djuvo2vymj
– Sleepernuggets (@sleepernuggets) July 11, 2025
Moving forward, Nuggets fans should be excited about Holmes because Holmes is less depth. Nikola Jokic is 30 years old and has nowhere to go. That doesn’t mean that Holmes doesn’t have a day to be a key role or ultimate starter. The six-foot-tall big man is athletic and has the trick to finish the game. Additionally, Holmes thrives on defense, and the Nuggets need players who are willing to sacrifice on this goal.
During the offseason, the Nuggets acquired Jonas Valanciunas in a deal with the Kings Dario Saric. Valanciunas may become the second string center in Denver. This could make Daron Holmes the third string in Denver. But Holmes does offer skills that Valanciunas does not have. When Valanciunas is a traditional style back to the center of the basket, Sherlock Holmes can contact from outside the arc. We will see first-year head coach David Adelman taking advantage of Holmes during his rookie season.
