Report: Nuggets decline option on young big

Report: Nuggets decline option on young big

The Denver Nuggets are waiving the white flag on their 2024 first round pick, declining the young player’s club option for the 2027-28.

The news comes from a report by Aryan of The Consensus, who posted on Twitter that the Nuggets will not be picking up next year’s option on DaRon Holmes II’ contract.

The cheap, rookie-scale option, not being picked up is a red flag for Holmes’ future in Denver, showing the Nuggets would rather have an open roster spot next year than keep trying to makes Holmes work.

Holmes was drafted No. 22 in 2024. He was acquired by trading up from later in the first round at the cost of three second-round picks to the Suns. He tore his Achilles in his first Summer League game making his first year as a pro a redshirt. He only played 210 minutes in his second year and he’s not in the rotation early on in 2026-27.

The 6-foot-10 Dayton Flyer has struggled to get on the floor in Denver, playing double-digit minutes just eight times in his career. He’s been a solid shooter when given the chance but he’s already been passed in the rotation by two second-round rookies that were taken in this past draft. This has made Holmes...