Nuggets big man DaRon Holmes II, a 2024 first-round pick, tore his Achilles tendon in his Las Vegas Summer League debut two years ago. While he’s not on Denver’s Summer League roster this time around, he did help the team prepare for the event as a practice player, writes Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette.

“When guys come in, especially for Summer League, everybody’s trying to earn something. Everybody’s trying to get that spot, so everybody’s playing hard,” Holmes said. “For me, that’s what I need to be around, because that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to earn my time on the court. So, regardless of wherever anybody is at in their career, everybody’s out here busting their tails to get to where they want to be.”

Holmes played a limited role in 2025/26 in what was effectively his rookie season, Benedetto notes, averaging 3.7 points and 1.4 rebounds in just 8.4 minutes per game across 25 appearances. The former Dayton star is glad his major lower leg injury is behind him.

“I would say everybody goes through that process, just mentally feeling like ‘Dang, I don’t know if I can still do this the same,’ but at the end of the day, for me, I feel great out there. I feel like I’m learning new things about my game,” Holmes said. “I feel like I’m learning how to play without being the most freakish, athletic guy. I felt like I was very athletic before. I feel like I still am. … So, I feel like it helped, in a way.”

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Two-way guard KJ Simpson is hoping to help lead the Nuggets to victories in Vegas after his previous team, Charlotte, won the 2025 Summer League championship, according to Benedetto. The 23-year-old point guard starred in college at Colorado. “I understand the opportunity, right? People can look at it like ‘Oh, I’ve got to play Summer League. I already played,’ but if I can just go out there and showcase what I can do, for me that’s a win — not only for myself but for the Nuggets as well,” Simpson said. “Because they get to see what I’m capable of doing out there on the floor, how I can lead a team. I’ve already done it once last summer, so I’m excited to do it again. It’s just a mentality. I’m happy, and I’m excited to go out there and hoop.” Simpson recorded 17 points, nine assists, one steal and one block in Friday’s opening loss to Houston, though he shot just 4-of-13 from the floor and committed four turnovers in 30 minutes.
Second-round pick Bryce Hopkins was impressive in Friday’s game vs. Houston, tweets Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. The former St. John’s forward, who has not yet inked his first NBA contract, had 24 points (on 9-of-13 shooting), four rebounds, three steals and two blocks in 26 minutes.
Executive VP of player personnel Jon Wallace briefly discussed Nikola Jokic‘s decision to wait until next summer to sign a new contract on Friday’s ESPN broadcast, as Durando relays (via Twitter). “We feel confident,” Wallace said. “We trust him. … We’ve got no choice but to.” Jokic has said multiple times he wants to stay in Denver for the rest of his career.