What was reported last week has now become official: the Lakers have signed undrafted free agent Jonathan Holmes to a multi year deal. From the Lakers press release:
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Jonathan Holmes to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.
In five games for the Celtics’ entry in the 2015 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Holmes averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.0 steals in 21.8 minutes per game, while shooting 55.6% from the field. The 6’9’’ Holmes also appeared in three games for Boston in the 2015 Utah Jazz Summer League, and in his eight games (seven starts) between the two competitions, shot a perfect 15-15 from the free throw line, and 13-28 (46.4%) from beyond-the-arc.
As we covered in our initial write up, Holmes is more of a tweener forward who would likely do his best work as a “stretch four” in the NBA. He has good size (6’9″) and decent length (6’11” wingspan) with a solid build. While at the University of Texas, he spent most of his junior year banging down low as a more traditional big man and then, as a senior, moved the perimeter by playing a lot of small forward.
This versatility in college combined with the numbers he put up in Summer League likely proved pivotal in the Lakers deciding to ink him to a deal. For what it’s worth, the Lakers did have Holmes in for a pre-draft workout and while they did not select him with either of their later two picks (#27 or #34), they seemed to keep him on their radar.
Forecasting out, it’s difficult to know exactly how Holmes fits in the bigger scope of the team. He believes his “ability to stretch the floor, guard multiple positions, score from different positions on the court, and just bring effort and energy every day” are the qualities that make him a viable pro, and these are all traits needed on this Lakers’ team.
However, with Julius Randle, Brandon Bass, Ryan Kelly, and Larry Nance Jr. already in the fold at PF, there’s not a lot of time to be had at that spot. Now, if Holmes can play some SF, that might be his niche. He has a similar build and size characteristics to Jeff Green, so maybe that could be a spot where he finds minutes.
In any event, it’s now on the Lakers and their coaches to figure it out as Holmes is officially in the fold.
dxmanners says
Lakers should have taken Okafor, and then RJ Hunter with the 27th pick. Could have gone inside-out for the next 7-8 years. Worth watching, even if just summer league. Better than anything I saw on the Lakers this summer. Oy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAtueJsoY6g
Will Davis says
I was hoping that the Lakers were going to select Holmes with the 34th pick. Funny when I made my mock draft I had them selecting Upshaw at 27 & Holmes at 34. Kudos to Mitch.
Anonymous says
What position is Randle really going to play? Is Scott staying within the confines of Power Forward and Small Forward? Or, is he just going with a pair of Forwards so that Randle can guard a Three but play offensively like a Four?
Frankly, Randle’s rebounding is a concern to me. I know I shouldn’t draw too many conclusions from Summer League — but he boarded like a SF. If we don’t board well then everything falls apart.
rr says
Dallas signed Javale McGee today
George says
Anon: Rebounding was one of the areas we did an OK job with last year averaging nearly 44 a game (12th in the league). Of course, we were out rebounded on a per game basis so that rating comes with a grain of salt.
With the loss of Davis, Hill and Boozer we are missing out on 23 rebounds a game from them alone. So, where will the boards come from? Bass and Hibbert average 12 boards between them (last year) so Randlle/Black/Nash/Holmes, etc.will need to contribute a lot more for us just to break even.
So, I agree rebounding could be a concern. We’ll know more once preseason games come around and we have some game stats to look at.
Busboys4me says
We suck as an organization if we can’t even sign Javale McGee..
Todd says
We suck as an organization if we can’t even sign Javale McGee.
—
I’m no fan of our FO, but passing on McGee was a good decision. He wasn’t a good fit personally and his on-court production is in steep decline.
Where I do agree with you is our approach to acquiring talent. The Jim Buss mantra of elite free agents or bust is problematic: Our FO only partially commits to the roster each year because they want to keep cap flexibility for some unknown future free agent savior(s).
As a result we are constantly short on talent. So we try to acquire it on the cheap by casting a wide net looking for un-drafted gems. Nothing wrong with that except that the odds are very long that someone like that is able to contribute on the floor in a meaningful way. We have already banked on more than our fair share of longshots this summer alone (Upshaw and Holmes).
We certainly are a mess but we come to the same conclusion for different reasons.
dxmanners says
Can’t have Javale and Nick Young on the same team, not enough clown costumes in XXL sizes..
R says
Yeah but arguably the Lakers talent level has improved year over year since the season before last. And, a big cap killer has been discussed ad naseum but figures to resolve by season end. As it stands the Lakers are actually over the cap; that is my understanding anyway.
Todd says
R: We have lots of expiring deals on the books — $42 Mil between Kobe and Hibbert alone. Regarding the increase in talent, drafting in the lottery should do that for you.
R says
Todd, I agree and getting rid of Chris Duhon was helpful too!
J C says
I assume we could have gotten McGee if we wanted him. My guess is they preferred Holmes.
J C says
If Kobe has a decent year he will want to play longer. He probably still feels cheated by his last two years of injury-provoked absences.
How much of a salary hit will he accept?
Let’s say he averages 17, 5 and 5 this year.
He’ll probably want $10 mil per year, maybe on a one or two year deal, and with the raised cap that’s coming that would be fair. Anything more than that will be a repeat of his current, toxic contract.
I am not one of those who feels he needs to retire for the team to move forward. I still believe he can be a part of the rebuild. Look at Duncan. Kobe can age gracefully. I believe he has it in him, he just hasn’t quite gotten there yet.
Ryan P says
So many rookies and sophomores that we will have a hard time getting them playing time in the Dleague let alone on the Lakers.
How will BS and MK manage that training?
Anonymous says
After this season the Kobe Era should end period.
Tony says
Kobe needs to let it go after this season (hopefully healthy)and call it a career,he had a great one.Let the team move on!
Michael says
Thank God we didn´t get McGee. He is a cluster**** on the court. A turn-over prone, mistake-happy center is the last thing we need.
Holmes is a nice pick up. He can definitely hit the open shot. Could it be safe to assume he is a bigger version of Anthony Brown?
Thomas says
If Kobe has another injury this year, he WILL retire, if he’s healthy for the most part this year, he may play another year. The Lakers, by their moves, have already moved on. This is a fresh young team. Twelve of the players on this team weren’t here three years ago. We have three rookies or 2nd year’s in the starting lineup. (Randle is really a rookie). Frazier could be another diamond in the rough, a combo guard with decent handles, see’s the floor well, can pass, and most importantly can shoot. His defense is also above average, the fact that he went un drafted is shocking.