Offseason Renaissance in Denver: DaRon Holmes II and the Veterans Who Are Shaping His Future

The air in Denver, thin as it is, seems to crackle with an extra charge this offseason. The city is still buzzing from a transformative trade that reshaped the franchise’s future, but for the Denver Nuggets, the focus has already shifted. While headlines have been dominated by the blockbuster acquisition of Cam Johnson in exchange for Michael Porter Jr., a quieter, more fundamental story is unfolding behind closed doors. It’s the story of a young prospect, DaRon Holmes II, and the intentional, veteran-led development that is preparing him for a pivotal role on a championship contender. This is not just about a rookie getting ready for his first season; it’s about a franchise’s commitment to building a sustainable dynasty, one player at a time.

For Holmes, the journey to this moment has been anything but conventional. Drafted with the 22nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, he was widely regarded as a perfect fit for Denver’s system—a versatile, athletic big man who could defend, run the floor, and eventually space it. But his rookie season was delayed by a season-ending Achilles injury sustained in his very first Summer League game. While a devastating blow at the time, this “redshirt” season may have been a blessing in disguise. It forced Holmes to learn from the sidelines, absorbing the nuances of the NBA game, the intricacies of the Nuggets’ offense and defense, and the championship-winning culture of the organization. He watched, he listened, and he worked. And now, as he returns to full health, that hard-won knowledge is being put to the test in elite training sessions.

At the heart of this development is Cam Johnson, the 6’8” sharpshooter who has become the centerpiece of the Nuggets’ offseason. The trade for Johnson was a bold move by the front office, sacrificing a former lottery pick for a player who, while slightly older, provides a more consistent, defensively-minded, and high-IQ presence on the wing. Johnson, an accomplished perimeter shooter with a career three-point percentage hovering around $39\%$, is the ideal mentor for a big man looking to expand his game. He has navigated the league for years, developing a toolkit that makes him a perfect complement to a superstar like Nikola Jokic. This is where the synergy with Holmes begins.

The workouts between the two players are a masterclass in positional development. You can almost visualize the drills: Holmes, with his explosive athleticism, setting screens for Johnson. As the screen is set, Johnson would dart off, forcing Holmes to execute a fluid “pick-and-pop” motion, where he flares out to the three-point line. This seemingly simple action is layered with complexity. It teaches Holmes the precise footwork for setting a solid screen, the correct timing for his pop, and the muscle memory required for a quick, confident release. For a big man, adding a reliable three-point shot isn’t just a bonus; it’s a necessity. It’s what transforms a good backup center into a perfect fit for the Nuggets’ fluid, five-out offense.

Beyond the shooting drills, the partnership is about fostering a deeper understanding of the game. Johnson, a savvy defender, can work with Holmes on navigating pick-and-roll coverage, communicating switches, and guarding on the perimeter—all skills that are non-negotiable for a big man in today’s NBA. Holmes’s natural shot-blocking ability is elite, but Johnson can help him refine his defensive instincts, teaching him to read offensive sets and anticipate rotations. This isn’t just about repetition; it’s about basketball conversation. Two players, one a veteran with an established reputation for professionalism and the other a hungry rookie, are building chemistry from the ground up, forging a connection that will pay dividends when the regular season begins.

But the collaboration doesn’t stop with Johnson. The “others” are just as critical to this process. The Nuggets’ locker room, a place defined by its selflessness and team-first mentality, is a fertile ground for growth. Young players like Holmes are not thrown to the wolves; they are brought into the fold and given the resources to succeed. One can imagine Holmes also working with Aaron Gordon, a player with a similar athletic profile, who has transformed his game to become a lethal cutter and finisher alongside Jokic. Gordon can impart invaluable lessons on how to use athleticism to create space without the ball and how to thrive in a system where the primary star is a passing savant. He can teach Holmes how to find the soft spots in the defense and how to become a vertical lob threat that keeps defenders honest.

Furthermore, the influence of the two-time MVP, Nikola Jokic, looms large. While Jokic may spend his offseason in Serbia, his game is the foundation upon which everything else is built. For Holmes, simply studying film of how Jokic operates in the high post and the low post is a form of education. He can learn how to create space with subtle movements, how to become a threat as a passer, and how to control the tempo of a game. When Holmes returns to the court, he will do so with a deeper appreciation for the system he is entering, a system he has already been preparing for. The very fact that the Nuggets moved up in the draft to secure him speaks volumes about their belief in his ability to be a “Jokic-complementary” piece.

The long-term vision for the Nuggets is clear: they want to build a deep, versatile roster that can survive the long grind of the regular season and adapt to the specific challenges of the playoffs. For years, the team struggled to find a reliable backup center who could maintain a decent level of play when Jokic was on the bench. The acquisition of Jonas Valanciunas addresses this head-on, giving them a traditional, bruising big man. However, Holmes offers something different—a modern, stretch-big who can play alongside Jokic in certain lineups, creating a truly overwhelming frontcourt. This flexibility is a new luxury for the Nuggets, and it’s a direct result of their investment in players like Holmes.

This offseason development is not just a feel-good story; it’s a strategic advantage. It allows the Nuggets to accelerate Holmes’s timeline, turning him from a promising prospect into a legitimate rotation player. A healthy, confident, and well-coached DaRon Holmes II could be the X-factor the team needs to get back to the NBA Finals. His ability to shoot from deep, protect the rim, and switch onto smaller players will give Coach Michael Malone a new set of tools to work with, allowing for more creative and unpredictable lineups.

In an NBA where teams are constantly searching for marginal gains, the Nuggets have once again shown that they understand the value of player development and mentorship. They haven’t just added a new star in Cam Johnson; they’ve added a resource, a teacher, and a teammate who is already paying it forward. The collaboration between Johnson and Holmes is a microcosm of the Nuggets’ winning philosophy—that individual improvement, when guided by collective purpose, is the surest path to sustained success. This offseason, the team isn’t just adding pieces; they’re building something that will last, and DaRon Holmes II is proving to be a cornerstone of that vision.