Should he become available, the Dallas Mavericks’ name has come up recently as a team interested in center Rudy Gobert of the Jazz. Another name, Richaun Holmes, could be a cheaper and more attainable option in the NBA offseason.
The Sacramento Kings added PF/C Domantas Sabonis this season in a blockbuster trade with the Indiana Pacers. As a side-effect of the move, the Kings now have less of a need for the services of PF/C Richaun Holmes.
Holmes averaged 10.4 points and 7 rebounds this season and could be a perfect pick-and-roll partner to Luka Doncic due to his size and scoring versatility.
Though Holmes is built like a traditional center, his shot selection is far from traditional. Holmes takes 47.3% of his shots from a distance of 3-16 feet, making him one of the games’ few remaining midrange snipers. His shooting percentages from that range are elite, too – Holmes shot 55% and 57% from the ranges of 3-10 and 10-16 feet, respectively, per basketball-reference.
Holmes’ short-range shot looks different from most players’ – he tends to use a runner/push shot from that range, and he has the elite touch to pull it off.
Holmes would be a fantastic roller for Doncic, due to his ability to punish bigs who play too close to the rim. The center can roll to the rim for dunks just as Gobert does, but the extra wrinkle his mid-range game provides would make him an even more lethal partner to Luka.
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There’s also the added benefit of Holmes’ contract that would make him a valuable addition. Holmes is currently in year one of a four year deal that pays him between $10-12 million per season. This bargain contract could make him a valuable piece by allowing the Dallas Mavericks to make more additions in free agency, as well as spend big to lock down Luka Doncic long-term.
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Relative to Rudy Gobert, this makes Holmes a steal. Gobert is due between $35 and $47 million over the next five seasons. Though he’s one of the league’s best centers, that’s more money than a team like Dallas should be willing to spend on that position, especially considering other holes in their roster.
Holmes may be less of a big name, but his talents would fit in seamlessly in Dallas. Luka Doncic had the highest usage rate in the NBA this season (37.4%), and would mesh extremely well with an addition like Holmes, who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to generate easy scores.
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It’s unclear what the Sacramento Kings would want in return for a player like Holmes. Largely, their expected return would depend on whether they plan to tank or contend next season.
If they’re hoping to contend, the Kings may be inclined to ask for someone like Tim Hardaway Jr., an excellent scorer who could start along their three biggest names, De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Harrison Barnes. If they’re tanking, the Kings might prefer a return package based more around draft picks, and perhaps an expiring contract like Maxi Kleber.
As the Dallas Mavericks look to add talent next season, they may be wise to ask the Sacramento Kings about Richaun Holmes – a perfect fit on a team-friendly contract.
