So, who are the new faces in the roster coming from the Denver Nuggets 2024 draft picks?
After an electric and exciting playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 2023 NBA Champion Denver Nuggets found themselves out of the picture. The upstart Wolves would themselves be humbled in the Western Conference Final by the Dallas Mavericks.
The focus then changed for the former champions. With the draft coming up, the champs had just two picks in the draft, both later in their respective rounds. How did they do and what kind of impact will it have on the future of the team? Let’s take a look.
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The 2024 NBA Draft
First and foremost, everyone knew this would be a quiet draft to start with. The Nuggets came in with No. 28 (first round) and 56 (second round) overall. They would eventually trade that second-round pick in a swap later on in the night.
This draft is interesting as well because it didn’t feature a consensus top player. When that happens, there is always a chance that a talented player could be lost in the shuffle and fall further down the rankings. The Nuggets hope that is the case with the player they eventually wound up with.
Ryan Dunn, G, Virginia (Traded to Phoenix for DaRon Holmes II)
This is one of a few situations in which a player drafted was ultimately swapped with another club. The deal ultimately saw the Nuggets acquire the rights to No. 22 pick DaRon Holmes II from the Phoenix Suns for No. 28 pick Ryan Dunn, No. 56 in the 2024 Draft, and second-round picks in 2026 and 2031.
At 6’9”, Holmes has good size and can flip between forward and center. The Junior from Dayton was a proficient scorer from day one and made 102 starts for the Flyers throughout his collegiate career.
Holmes had a dynamite junior year, averaging 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds. 2.1 blocks, 2.6 assists, and 0.9 steals while averaging 32.5 minutes per game in his final year. DaRon was named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year for 2023-24. He also made the Consensus All-American Second Team while leading the conference in scoring.
Holmes is best as a pick-and-roll player, setting strong screens. He can finish near the rim and shows versatility as a defender in multiple positions. His defensive rotations, positioning, and decision-making are still a bit on the raw side, however.
He has flashed lottery-level talents at time. He needs to clean up the finer details of his game if he is going to ascend to his highest level. He’ll have time to work on things playing for a contender like Denver, where he won’t need to be counted on to be a major contributor from day one.
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— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) June 30, 2024
How Daron Holmes II Can Impact the Nuggets?
What’s interesting is that it has been one of the worst-kept secrets in the league that the Nuggets have had high interest in Holmes. The team even convinced him to shut down his workouts in an effort to steer the big man to the Mile High City.
The Nuggets think he’s ready to be a good depth addition to a team that is already a contender. While they think he can currently play behind Nikola Jokic, they feel that he could eventually become a weapon alongside him.
The move makes the extension given to Zeke Nnaji a year ago all the more interesting. Holmes can fill in as a backup center now, has the capacity to stretch the floor, and will be an immediate contributor defensively. If he can learn under the tutelage of Jokic and grow his offensive game, Holmes could be a steal in the second half of the draft.
It will be important to remember patience with Holmes as a rookie. He clearly has holes in his game and needs to work on being the kind of player who can be consistent night in and night out. Learning behind one of the best big men in the game is a great place to start.
DaRon Holmes II walks the red carpet before the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. He is the highlight of the Denver Nuggets 2024 Draft Picks (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Still Contenders
The path moving forward is the same regardless of how this draft turned out. The Nuggets remain on the shortlist of contenders in the Western Conference going forward. They will need a healthy season out of Jamal Murray and for other role players to step up to take the burden off three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
Holmes II will have the chance to develop at a slower pace, which has to be beneficial for his future. He can work on the small things, get coached up, and garner valuable minutes without having to take on a prominent role.
Two years from now, the hope is that he can step up as at least a regular contributor off the bench. Displacing Jokic isn’t going to happen, but his size and versatility could potentially make him a better fit elsewhere in the lineup.
Giving Reggie Jackson a contract extension was also an intelligent move. So the Nuggets will be strong come next season.
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