Nuggets trade for Dayton's DaRon Holmes II
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DaRon Holmes II smiles after being taken 22nd overall during Wednesday night's first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. Photo: Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images
With the 28th pick in the NBA draft, the Denver Nuggets selected Ryan Dunn out of Virginia Wednesday night — but the team traded the pick to get the 22nd overall pick from the Phoenix Suns, Dayton's DaRon Holmes II.
Why it matters: Denver looks to retool its roster after coming up short in its title defense. Much was made about the lack of firepower coming off the bench, a role that Holmes, a 6-foot-9 forward, will hope to fill.
Yes, but: As long as reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokić and his running mate Jamal Murray stay healthy, the 2023 champs are primed for another title shot next season.
State of play: The trade was announced late Wednesday by the Nuggets. In addition to Dunn, the team is swapping its second-round 56th pick Thursday, plus two future second-round picks.
CU Buffs make NBA leap
Colorado Buffaloes guard Cody Williams became the first CU player selected as a lottery pick in 13 years after he was taken 10th overall by the Utah Jazz. It's the school's highest draft pick since Chauncey Billups in 1997.
- Williams' teammate, forward Tristan Da Silva, was picked 18th overall by the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. It marked the first time two CU players were picked in the first round in the same draft, per DNVR.
Fun fact: Alec Burks, who last played for the New York Knicks, was the last lottery pick to come from CU.
- The team that drafted him? The Utah Jazz, with the 12th pick in 2011.
Editor's note: This story has been updated throughout to reflect the Nuggets traded for the player they originally drafted on Wednesday.