Nuggets decline DaRon Holmes II's 2027-28 option
Denver turned down the $5.55 million fourth-year option on its 2024 first-round pick, putting Holmes on course for free agency next summer.
The Nuggets have declined the fourth-year option on forward DaRon Holmes II, the 22nd pick in the 2024 draft. The option would have paid him $5.55 million in 2027-28. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported the decision, CBS Sports noted on Tuesday, and ClutchPoints' Abdullah Imran put the guaranteed salary Denver passed on at $5,547,137.
Word that Denver was leaning this way surfaced Saturday, when Denver Sports' Jake Shapiro relayed a report from The Consensus. Holmes stays under contract for the rest of this season, at about $3.37 million according to ESPN, and is on track to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
A pick that never found the floor
Denver paid to get him. The Nuggets traded up with Phoenix on draft night, sending three second-round picks to move to No. 22, both outlets reported, and took the Dayton forward. He tore his Achilles in his first Summer League game and missed his entire rookie season.
Last season he appeared in 25 games, averaging 3.7 points in 8.4 minutes and making 44.4% of his 3-pointers, by ESPN's numbers. This season he has played two brief stints: a 3-pointer in the opener at Oklahoma City and four minutes against Golden State. He has been a coach's decision in the other four games.
Part of the reason is Trevon Brazile, a second-round rookie out of Arkansas who has taken the backup and, with Cam Johnson hurt, starting minutes at forward. Brazile started at New Orleans last Wednesday and scored 11 with eight rebounds.
What it means
Declining the option does not end Holmes' time in Denver. The Nuggets keep his Bird rights if he stays on the roster, ClutchPoints noted, but any new deal they offer him next summer cannot start above the $5.55 million they just declined. ClutchPoints also pointed to Denver's position above the second apron, where every roster dollar is expensive. Shapiro read the move as the club preferring an open roster spot next year to another season of development.
For now, Holmes remains available depth on a team carrying Johnson, Alpha Diallo, Spencer Jones and Julian Strawther on its injury report. Johnson's status for tonight. The full roster and schedule are on the team page.
