The Denver Nuggets May Have Finally Solved Their Biggest Jokic-Era Weakness With a Versatile Rookie Ready to Contribute

For years, the Denver Nuggets have lived and died with Nikola Jokić on the floor. When he plays, Denver looks like a championship-caliber machine. When he sits, the cracks have often turned into craters. But after years of searching, the franchise may have quietly solved that glaring problem in the most under-the-radar way possible. Enter DaRon Holmes II, the 6’10” rookie big man out of Dayton—the 2024 first-round pick who didn’t suit up in Summer League due to injury, but now looks poised to become a central figure in the Nuggets’ rotation.

Holmes is healthy. He’s mobile. He can shoot. He blocks shots, plays within a system, and competes like he belongs. And for the Nuggets, that might be all it takes to finally balance a roster that, despite its success, has long tilted too heavily toward the shoulders of a single Serbian genius.

Denver has tried to patch the backup big man hole for years. From Mason Plumlee to DeAndre Jordan, Zeke Nnaji to JaMychal Green, nothing has consistently clicked. The common theme? Most options either didn’t fit Denver’s ball-moving system, couldn’t space the floor, or simply lacked the defensive tools to stay on the court in meaningful moments. The result? Opponents routinely took advantage of Jokic’s minutes on the bench, and Nuggets coaches often had no choice but to shorten rotations or stagger stars just to survive.

But Holmes is different. He’s not just another developmental flier. He’s a plug-and-play option with modern tools—and his game mirrors many of the things the Nuggets prioritize in their system: intelligence, spacing, energy, and versatility.

At Dayton, Holmes was a two-way force. He averaged 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, and shot 38% from three in his final college season. His range expanded each year, and his defensive instincts were NBA-ready even before he declared for the draft. Scouts raved about his timing as a shot-blocker, his fluid movement in space, and his comfort making decisions out of the high post.

For the Nuggets, that kind of profile is gold. Too often, Denver has needed a big who can hold the fort while Jokic rests, and Holmes might be the first legitimate candidate to do that without forcing the offense into a completely different style. He runs the floor well, thrives in handoff actions, and doesn’t need the ball to make an impact. More importantly, he can stretch the defense with his shooting—a critical trait that helps preserve the spacing Denver’s starters create with Jokić at the helm.

But Holmes could do more than just survive those minutes. He might elevate them.

There’s even growing belief within the Nuggets’ staff that Holmes could play with Jokić in certain matchups. Imagine a twin-tower lineup where Jokić operates at the elbow or top of the key while Holmes stretches from the corner or crashes from the dunker spot. Holmes’ mobility means he can chase fours on the perimeter defensively while protecting the rim inside—something Jokić doesn’t excel at. In that way, Holmes doesn’t just fill a gap—he adds a new dynamic Denver hasn’t had before.

And the timing couldn’t be better. While much of the media frenzy has surrounded LeBron James’ shocking move to Denver and the Nuggets’ headline-grabbing trade of Michael Porter Jr., the addition of Holmes may quietly be just as important. The front office has rebuilt this roster to better support Jokić for both the present and the future.

They turned MPJ’s $38.3 million contract into four quality rotation players—Cam Johnson, Tim Hardaway Jr., Bruce Brown, and Jonas Valančiūnas—all for a combined cost under $37 million. That’s elite asset management. But among the veterans, Holmes represents the rare rookie who’s ready-made to contribute to a contender right now.

Valančiūnas offers bruising inside play and rebounding. Bruce Brown returns as the do-everything glue guy. Tim Hardaway Jr. adds shooting and scoring off the bench. But Holmes? He could be the sleeper X-factor—especially come playoff time.

Don’t be surprised if Denver’s bench metrics flip this year. In 2023 and 2024, the Nuggets’ net rating plummeted whenever Jokic sat. They were bottom-five in bench scoring last season. But with Holmes likely stepping into a 15-20 minute nightly role, Denver may finally generate positive value in those in-between moments. That’s how dynasties are built—not just with stars, but with reliable bridges between stardom and sustainability.

The key now is health. Holmes missed Summer League with a minor injury, but he’s reportedly 100% and training at full speed. Nuggets player development staff have quietly praised his work ethic, IQ, and adaptability. Multiple veterans, including Valančiūnas and Jamal Murray, have taken Holmes under their wing this offseason—a sign the locker room believes in him, too.

This isn’t to say Holmes will win Rookie of the Year or even average double figures. But he doesn’t need to. He just has to give Denver something they’ve lacked for the entire Jokić era: balance.

The Nuggets don’t need another star. They have one of the best in the league already. What they need is someone who can steady the ship when Jokić breathes. Someone who can guard, shoot, and run with Jamal Murray and Bruce Brown. Someone who won’t be targeted defensively or shrink when the lights get bright.

Holmes checks every box.

And for once, it looks like Denver’s front office may have nailed the part of roster-building that’s the hardest: finding role players who matter in April, May, and June—not just in theory, but in practice.

So while the headlines scream about LeBron, while fans debate whether MPJ’s exit was worth it, and while other contenders reload, the Nuggets may have just quietly landed the piece that completes the puzzle.

DaRon Holmes II isn’t a flashy name. But if he lives up to his potential, he could be the reason Denver raises another banner.