The Denver Nuggets are currently grappling with a wave of injuries that has severely impacted their performance, particularly on defense. With key players Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cam Johnson sidelined, coach David Adelman faces an opportunity to evaluate DaRon Holmes II, a promising talent.
Holmes, a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft from Dayton, was anticipated to bring valuable inside-outside skills to the power forward or center positions. However, an Achilles injury during his inaugural summer league appearance sidelined him for the entire 2024-25 season, forcing him to undergo surgery and focus on his recovery.
As this season commenced, Holmes showed promise during summer league games, emerging as an interesting frontcourt option to complement established stars like Nikola Jokic and Gordon. Unfortunately, his preseason performance did not match expectations, leading to a limited role on the roster and significant time spent with the Grand Rapids Gold in the G-League.
Despite these setbacks, Holmes is thriving in the G-League, showcasing his potential by averaging 20.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.5 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. His shooting has also been noteworthy, with a 37.5% success rate from beyond the arc, taking an average of 5.5 three-point attempts per game. While G-League competition differs from the NBA level, his performance suggests he could provide the Nuggets with the spark they need at the power forward position.
Given the current state of the team, now may be the ideal time to inject youth into the lineup. With existing players overexerted and injuries running rampant, Adelman might benefit from giving Holmes substantial playing time during this challenging stretch. While he may still be a season or two away from regularly contributing to the main rotation, an opportunity to gain experience now could lead to significant contributions later in the season, or even during the playoffs.
As the Nuggets battle defensive struggles and fatigue-induced losses, exploring new strategies becomes essential. Integrating Holmes into the lineup during this road trip could unlock his potential and provide the team with necessary depth during these tough times.