Fansided · Jul 22, 2025
Forgotten Nuggets big man will quickly become a fan favorite
Denver Nuggets, DaRon Holmes II | Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesThe Denver Nuggets have officially found their backup for Nikola Jokic, which is what they expected after trading Dario Saric for Jonas Valanciunas in a steal of a deal. Denver expected Valanciunas to honor his contract with the team, and on Monday, the center confirmed that he will. The Valanciunas saga overshadowed another backup on the team's roster.
The Nuggets traded up for DaRon Holmes II in the 2024 NBA Draft, clearly excited about his potential. He went to Las Vegas for summer league, but tore his Achilles in his first game, ending his rookie season before it officially began. He watched the 2024-25 season from the sideline.