Lakers Training Camp: Who Makes the Cut at Power Forward?

Jan 24, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Jonathan Holmes (10) reacts against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

If there is a player who could emerge as a pleasant surprise in training camp it is Jonathan Holmes. Standing 6’ 9” and weighing 242 lbs., Holmes played four years of college ball at the University of Texas where he had a solid career. He went undrafted this past summer which was a surprise to many NBA observers.

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Holmes has the size and quickness to be a good defender. On offense he can post up but is also an excellent outside shooter which no doubt caught the Lakers attention. At the NBA combine, he made 17 of 25 three-point shots with his feet set, which ranked No. 2 among all rookies.

Holmes had a strong Summer League performance playing for the Boston Celtics.  He averaged 12.2 points per game on 55 percent shooting. He made 46 percent of his three-point attempts and was a perfect 15 for 15 from the free throw line. One factor in his favor is that despite his strength and size, Holmes is quick enough to play small forward — a position at which the Lakers are very thin – which increases his value.

Holmes has a partially guaranteed contract, which means the Lakers are interested in giving him a chance.  As an undrafted rookie he is a long shot to make the squad, but of all the players competing for the final roster spots, he is one of the most intriguing.

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