Lakers Sign Undrafted Free Agent Jonathan Holmes
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles Lakers announced the signing of undrafted free agent forward Jonathan Holmes on Saturday.
Holmes spent four years at the University of Texas under coach Rick Barnes, and despite going undrafted, Holmes was rated by Draft Express as the 24th overall prospect going into the 2015 NBA Draft.
His best season was his junior year, where he averaged 12.8 points per game, while shooting 50% from the field and grabbing 7.2 rebounds a game.
Holmes saw a dip in his production during his senior season however, as the forward averaged 10.3 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game, and shot just 39% from the field.
In 127 career games at the University of Texas, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 9.2 PPG and 5.9 RPG.
However, Holmes is a versatile forward, as he shot 33% from beyond the three point line in both his junior and senior seasons.
The Lakers have Tarik Black and Jabari Brown signed to non-guarenteed contracts thru next season, and both could be competing with Holmes for the 15th and final roster spot available on the Lakers.
Holmes joins an already crowded front court that features Julius Randle, Brandon Bass, Roy Hibbert, Ryan Kelly, Robert Upshaw, and Larry Nance Jr.
Holmes played for the Boston Celtics summer league team, where he averaged 10.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and shot an impressive 48% from the field, as well as 46% from the three-point line.
The Lakers are hoping the competition in the front court triggers better play among all of those who are jockeying for a roster spot.
Watch Holmes' highlight tape from his four years at Texas here:
