The Denver Nuggets have declined their $5.55 million rookie-scale option on forward DaRon Holmes for the 2027-28 NBA season, ending the possibility of keeping the 2024 first-round selection under his current contract beyond 2026-27.
Holmes will become an unrestricted free agent next summer unless he reaches a new agreement with Denver. The Nuggets had invested three second-round picks to move up from No. 28 to No. 22 in the 2024 NBA Draft and secure his draft rights after his collegiate career at Dayton.
However, Holmes suffered a torn Achilles during a Summer League game just weeks after being drafted, forcing him to miss his entire rookie campaign. The 24-year-old eventually made his NBA debut in 2025-26 but appeared in only 25 games for Denver. He averaged 3.7 points and 1.4 rebounds across 8.4 minutes per appearance while shooting 50.8% from the field and 44.4% from three-point range.
Holmes' opportunities have remained limited this season. He has appeared in just two regular-season games, seeing merely five minutes of action overall.
Holmes showed considerably better production with the Nuggets' G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gold. Across 22 appearances last season, he averaged 20.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 36 minutes per game.
Article Continues BelowDenver's financial situation also factored into the decision, with the organization currently operating above the second apron. The emergence of rookie forward Trevon Brazile further complicates Holmes' path to consistent playing time.
Holmes is earning approximately $3.3 million this season but will miss out on the guaranteed $5,547,137 salary attached to his declined option. The Nuggets can retain his Bird rights if he remains on the roster, although their ability to offer him a starting salary next summer will be capped at the value of the declined option.