Nuggets draft DaRon Holmes II: How the national media graded the pick

Dayton forward DaRon Holmes II (15) dunks against Nevada during the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Salt Lake City, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Isaac Hale)

The Nuggets moved up six spots to get their man on Wednesday, selecting Dayton big man DaRon Holmes II with the 22nd overall pick in the NBA draft.

Denver was long-rumored to be the landing spot for the 6-foot-9, 236-pound Holmes, who averaged 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists last season for the Flyers.

Here’s a look at how national media analysts graded the Nuggets’ pick:

Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley (Grade: B): “The Nuggets arguably have the planet’s best player in three-time MVP Nikola Jokić. Now, the big fella might finally have a legitimate backup behind him.

“That’s a lot to ask of an incoming rookie, but DaRon Holmes II looks enticing on paper. So much so that the Nuggets parted with two picks in this draft (Nos. 28 and 56) and two future second-round picks to get this selection from the Phoenix Suns, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.

“If Holmes’ uptick in shooting is real–he shot 38.6 percent from three this season but only 26.9 percent over the prior two—then he could be a fantastic screening partner for Denver’s guards. He can put the ball on the floor, finish at the basket, feed open teammates and pop out to the perimeter.