Phoenix Traded No. 22 for Two Prospect Rights and More Picks
On June 27, 2024, the Denver Nuggets acquired the rights to Dayton center DaRon Holmes II from Phoenix. The Suns took back rights to Virginia defensive forward Ryan Dunn, Kansas wing Kevin McCullar Jr., and future second-round selections in 2026 and 2031. Holmes was selected No. 22; Dunn went No. 28 and McCullar No. 56. Denver was aiming to improve developmental frontcourt depth behind Nikola Jokić, while Phoenix sought several lower-cost assets as it managed an expensive roster. The deal converted a single first-round selection into two draft prospects and two later picks. It did not send an NBA veteran or immediate starting center from Phoenix to Denver, so the outcome rested on development and injury risk rather than current game totals.
An Achilles Injury Delayed Holmes NBA Development
Holmes arrived with strong college production as a mobile shot blocker with emerging perimeter offense. During his first Summer League appearance, however, he suffered an Achilles injury that prevented him from playing his rookie NBA season. That was a substantial setback for Denver plan to develop inexpensive center help, and it made the inherited Nuggets B grade primarily about talent and potential rather than actual first-year NBA productivity. He remained a draft-right and roster investment, but a young prospect sidelined for a full season cannot be assigned points or starts he did not record. Subsequent injury recovery and NBA progress should be considered independently from the original draft-night expectations. Denver concentrated its development bet on one player and surrendered several other chances to acquire depth through draft picks.
Dunn and Future Seconds Offered Phoenix More Routes to Value
Dunn was known for his perimeter and help defense at Virginia, a skill set Phoenix needed around established scorers. McCullar was an experienced college wing prospect with health and signing uncertainties, while the second-round picks in 2026 and 2031 gave Phoenix further drafting or trade opportunities. No player should be invented for those future choices before they have been exercised. The inherited Suns A+ grade favors the greater number of distinct assets and the chance to find a useful defender outside the top twenty-five. Dunn rookie performance could supply a more immediate return than Holmes while the Denver big recovered. Still, each Phoenix asset had its own risks, including shooting development and future pick placement. The Suns Win label is best understood as a diversified draft-asset bet rather than a guarantee of several future stars.
Final Verdict
Suns Win. Phoenix earns A+ for Ryan Dunn and Kevin McCullar Jr. draft rights plus two future second-round choices in 2026 and 2031. Denver gets B for DaRon Holmes II rights, whose rookie opportunity was interrupted by an Achilles injury. Phoenix held more ways to recover value from the draft-night swap.