Report: Lakers give undrafted Jonathan Holmes 'significant' partial guarantee
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The Los Angeles Lakers are dipping back into the pool of intriguing undrafted free agents, signing Texas senior Jonathan Holmes, RealGM's Shams Charania reports.
While many deals this time of year are signed with only a small amount of the salary guaranteed - these contracts effectively amount to a training camp deal - Charania reports the Lakers are giving Holmes a "significant" partial guarantee. That suggests Holmes, who was considered to be on the first-round bubble ahead of the draft, has the inside track on a roster spot for 2015-16.
A 6-foot-11.5 wingspan, 8-foot-11.5 standing reach, and respectable mid-range jump shot can make up for modest statistical production - he averaged 10.3 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 38.9 percent overall and 33.1 percent on threes last year - but apparently not enough to warrant Holmes being drafted this year, a minor surprise.
Instead, Holmes attended two Summer Leagues with the Boston Celtics, averaging 10 points, five rebounds and, perhaps most importantly, knocking down 13-of-28 from outside. It's difficult to see Holmes as an NBA player without a 3-point shot in his arsenal, though his ability to defend either forward position would be attractive, and flashing additional range could be what got him a longer look from L.A.
The Lakers are thin at the three, and adding a physical, high-IQ player at the end of the bench is a reasonable move.
Holmes is the second undrafted free agent the Lakers have scooped up, having worked quickly to sign high-risk, high-reward center Robert Upshaw early in free agency.