NBA Draft 2024: The Nuggets trade up to get their guy

It had been rumored for weeks that DaRon Holmes II had a commitment from the Nuggets to select him at No. 1. 28. However, the Nuggets didn’t want to risk missing out on their man. They traded their No. 28 and No. 56 picks in this draft along with two future second-rounders to Phonix to get their man Holmes II with the 22nd pick. Both sides wanted this combination, with Holmes canceling workouts with other teams after his commitment from the Nuggets.

NBA Draft 2024: The Nuggets trade up to get their guy

Meet DaRon Holmes II

The 6-foot-1, 21-year-old center from Dayton was extremely productive in his junior year. Holmes averaged 20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks per game and earned the Atlantic-10 Defensive Player of the Year award. DaRon showed much improved shooting touch this past season. He increased both his volume and shooting percentage from three, hitting 38% of his threes while taking two and a half per game. Holmes also increased his free throw percentage and volume every year in college, showing a real commitment to improving as a shooter.

Holmes is a vertical threat on both ends, using his 34-inch vert to swat shots on defense or explode at the rim for dunks on offense. He’s also great in the pick-and-roll work, setting solid screens before rolling hard to the rim. At 236 pounds, Holmes is strong enough to finish through contact. DaRon has shown the ability to create his own shot, with a spin move and a fake pump he can leave the pole.

Lack of depth in the frontcourt

The Nuggets desperately needed more depth in the front court, having been without a reliable backup center since 2019 when they lost Mason Plumlee. Without big players off the bench that coach Mike Malone trusts, he has been forced to burden Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon with significant minutes in recent seasons. That cost them in the postseason, with Jokic and AG looking exhausted through the second half of game seven against the Timberwolves.

The Nuggets and coach Malone have tried to fill these backup big minutes with a wide variety of players. They used both Zeke Nnaji and DeAndre Jordan at fifth this season. While Nnaji had some nice games overall, the playoffs left him outside of Malone’s circle of trust. Jordan is near the end of his career and hasn’t played any impressive postseason minutes. Peyton Watson looked good off the bench as a backup forward at times during the regular season. But struggled to make an impact in the postseason. Barely seen any playing time in the postseason.

Holmes’ Fit ​​with Denver

Holmes is a perfect fit for the Nuggets and will bring a fresh perspective to the backup five. ESPN detailed what Holmes can do on the field.

“Holmes can provide value as a screener in the pick-and-roll game who can shoot the ball, finish near the rim and defend multiple positions.”

Holmes will be asked a lot of him this year by the Nuggets, who want to compete for another ring. The team will need his goals and shots off the bench. But most importantly, they need his size and shot blocking to help AG and Jokic break through the season.