The Los Angeles Lakers signed forward Jonathan Holmes to a two-year deal on Thursday. The former Texas Longhorn was an undrafted free agent, who played on the Boston Celtics’ summer league team, averaging 12.2 points (on 55% shooting) and 5.6 rebounds per game, similar stats to what he put up in his fourth season at Texas.
While the exact terms of Holmes’ deal are unknown, Eric Pincus of the LA Times has written that he likely signed a partially guaranteed deal worth up $1.4 million. This means that Holmes will be fighting the likes of Robert Upshaw, another undrafted free agent, throughout training camp for the Lakers’ fifteenth and final roster spot.
Holmes has an uphill battle as Upshaw has been proclaimed as a player with an extremely high ceiling – especially as a shot blocker. However, the length and partial guarantee of the deal show that the Lakers may have high hopes for Holmes and expect him to be a viable candidate at the end of the bench. Holmes brings athleticism and an NBA-ready body as a potential small or power forward, and has potential as a shooter, although he is inconsistent and has limited upside as a 22 year old.
