Nuggets are planning to send 2024 first-round pick DaRon Holmes II down to Grand Rapids to develop in the G League throughout this season, he tells @DenverPost. Team doesn’t want to rush him. Holmes missed last season with a torn Achilles.
— Bennett Durando (@BennettDurando) October 24, 2025
After missing last season, Denver Nuggets forward DaRon Holmes II is expected to spend time in the G League to log developmental minutes with the Grand Rapids Gold.
Holmes was sidelined for the 2024-25 campaign after undergoing surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon. He completed his rehabilitation early in the offseason, clearing the way for him to suit up with the team in summer league.
The 22nd pick in the 2024 NBA draft played sparingly in the preseason, totaling 35 minutes across five appearances. Behind several players on the depth chart, Holmes told Bennett Durando of the Denver Post that he’ll play extended minutes with the Gold this season.
Holmes was a consensus second-team All-American at Dayton during the 2023-24 season, averaging 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.1 blocks on 38.6% shooting from 3-point range as a junior. He was also the Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
The 23-year-old made four appearances in summer league, averaging 13 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and one steal on 42.1% shooting from 3-point range. He registered two double-doubles, including a 19-point, 17-rebound performance on July 17.
After rehabbing all of last season, Holmes will likely spend much of the upcoming year in a developmental role. The team was excited to add him in the draft and will carefully monitor him this season as he returns to the court following a severe injury.