DaRon Holmes II is a young two-way big for the Denver Nuggets with stretch-five upside. A three-year star at Dayton, he was drafted 22nd overall in 2024 by Phoenix and immediately traded to Denver — then tore his Achilles in Summer League days later, costing him his entire rookie season. He returned in 2025-26 to begin his career, flashing shooting and rim protection.
Injury swing: Chet Holmgren would normally take it; instead it falls to Isaiah Hartenstein (+0 pts). Model lines II at 3.7 pts (range 1–6.4) vs a 3.5 line — a lean to clear it (53%).
Biggest edge: venue — home floor — small boost.
A first-round big whose NBA debut was stolen by an Achilles tear — and who fought all the way back.
A three-year standout at Dayton, Holmes was drafted 22nd in 2024 by Phoenix and traded to Denver on draft night — a versatile, shot-blocking big with shooting range.
Days after signing, he tore his Achilles in his Summer League debut, losing his entire rookie season — then returned in 2025-26 to finally start his career.
A promising two-way big whose career began with a cruel twist — and a comeback.
Holmes starred for three seasons at Dayton as a versatile, shot-blocking big who could stretch the floor. Phoenix drafted him 22nd overall in 2024 and traded him to Denver on draft night. Just days after signing, he tore his right Achilles in his Summer League debut — an injury that wiped out his entire rookie season.
He returned in 2025-26 to finally begin his NBA career, flashing the rim protection and perimeter shooting (44% from three in limited minutes) that made him a first-round pick.
Sources: Wikipedia.
Holmes's early NBA story is defined by resilience: a first-round talent whose professional debut was delayed a full year by a devastating Achilles tear suffered in his very first Summer League game. The long, patient rehab — and his return to the floor in 2025-26 — is the throughline of a career still waiting to properly begin.
A resilient, two-way young big with stretch-five tools — a career on the launchpad after a hard first chapter.
Upside on hold
Holmes profiles as exactly what Denver's frontcourt depth needs long-term: a big who protects the rim and stretches the floor. The Achilles injury reset his timeline, but the early flashes — 44% from three and shot-blocking instincts — suggest the two-way tools survived. He's the roster's clearest developmental swing.
Per game
| Season | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 25 | 8.4 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 0.6 | .508 | .444 |
Source: Basketball-Reference.
DaRon Holmes's 2025-26 value came from floor-spacing and outside shooting alongside Nikola Jokić.
A reserve on a 54-28 Nuggets team built around Nikola Jokić, with value rooted in floor-spacing and outside shooting.
He tore his right Achilles tendon in his Summer League debut in July 2024, costing him his entire rookie year.
22nd overall in 2024 by Phoenix, who traded him to Denver on draft night.