The Nuggets got a useful Summer League boost from a familiar face before the games even tipped off, with DaRon Holmes II serving as a practice player while Denver prepared for Las Vegas.
Holmes, the 2024 first-round pick, tore his Achilles tendon in his Las Vegas Summer League debut two years ago, so he isn’t on this year’s roster. But he’s still around the group, and he said being in that environment matters to him as he works his way back into a bigger role.
“ When guys come in, especially for Summer League, everybody’s trying to earn something. Everybody’s trying to get that spot, so everybody’s playing hard,” Holmes said.
“ For me, that’s what I need to be around, because that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to earn my time on the court.
So, regardless of wherever anybody is at in their career, everybody’s out here busting their tails to get to where they want to be.”
Holmes’ first real NBA stretch came in what was effectively his rookie season in 2025/26, and the minutes were limited. He averaged 3.7 points and 1.4 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per game over 25 appearances, according to Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette. Even so, Holmes said the injury and the recovery process have changed how he sees his game.
“ I would say everybody goes through that process, just mentally feeling like ‘Dang, I don’t know if I can still do this the same,’ but at the end of the day, for me, I feel great out there. I feel like I’m learning new things about my game,” Holmes said.
“ I feel like I’m learning how to play without being the most freakish, athletic guy. I felt like I was very athletic before.
I feel like I still am. … So, I feel like it helped, in a way.”
Denver also has KJ Simpson trying to make his mark in Vegas. The two-way guard, who starred at Colorado, said he understands exactly what Summer League can mean for a player trying to show more than just box-score production. Simpson was part of Charlotte’s 2025 Summer League championship team before joining the Nuggets.
“ I understand the opportunity, right? People can look at it like ‘Oh, I’ve got to play Summer League.
I already played,’ but if I can just go out there and showcase what I can do, for me that’s a win - not only for myself but for the Nuggets as well,” Simpson said. “ Because they get to see what I’m capable of doing out there on the floor, how I can lead a team.
I’ve already done it once last summer, so I’m excited to do it again. It’s just a mentality.
I’m happy, and I’m excited to go out there and hoop.”
He backed that up in Friday’s opener against Houston, finishing with 17 points, nine assists, one steal and one block in 30 minutes. The catch: he shot 4-of-13 from the field and turned it over four times.
Another Nugget who made noise Friday was second-round pick Bryce Hopkins. The former St. John’s forward, who has not yet signed his first NBA contract, put together a strong showing against Houston with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting, plus four rebounds, three steals and two blocks in 26 minutes.
There was also a brief update on Nikola Jokic’s contract situation. Executive VP of player personnel Jon Wallace addressed Jokic’s decision to wait until next summer to sign a new deal during Friday’s ESPN broadcast.
“ We feel confident,” Wallace said. “ We trust him. … We’ve got no choice but to.”
Jokic has said multiple times he wants to stay in Denver for the rest of his career.
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