The Kings signaled their commitment to Richaun Holmes last summer when they signed him to a four-year, $46.5MM contract with a 15% trade kicker, writes Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. However, following the team’s acquisition of Domantas Sabonis, Anderson now believes a trade looks like the most likely outcome for Holmes.
Holmes became Sacramento’s full-time starter at center early in the 2019/20 season and held that role until earlier this month. Since Sabonis’ debut, Holmes – who averaged 25.7 minutes per game through his first 37 games – has played just 15.3 MPG in four appearances off the bench.
While the sample size is small, Holmes’ production is also way down in his reduced role. After averaging 11.8 PPG and 7.9 RPG on 68.3% shooting as a starter this season, he has put up just 3.0 PPG and 2.0 RPG on 38.5% shooting in his last four games.
Head coach Alvin Gentry hopes to get Holmes on track after the All-Star break, stressing that the club still values him and acknowledging there may be an adjustment period while the 28-year-old and the Kings get accustomed to his new role, as Anderson details.
“We’ve talked a little bit about it,” Gentry said on Tuesday. “He’s been here for the whole week. He’s coming in every single day, the whole week, and I think he understands that we love him as a player. You think about everything he did for us last year, and hopefully he’s over all of these crazy injuries that he’s had, and he’ll have a good 20 games.”
Despite Gentry’s insistence that there’s still a place for Holmes in the Kings’ plans, Anderson suggests an offseason trade appears to be a real possibility.
League sources told The Bee that general manager Monte McNair continued to work right up until the February 10 deadline after acquiring Sabonis, exploring several other trade scenarios. A report on the morning of the deadline stated that rival executives viewed Holmes and Marvin Bagley III as the Kings players most likely to be moved — Bagley was dealt to Detroit, but Holmes stayed put.
If potential trade partners believe the Kings are motivated to move Holmes in the offseason, McNair’s leverage may be limited, but Sacramento should still be able to generate a market for the veteran center, who had a career year in 2020/21 with 14.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. Holmes will be owed $23.3MM for the two years after this season, with a $12.9MM player option for 2024/25.
Gentry seems to have a hard time including lunch Pail guys like Holmes into his schemes
How good is Holmes on defence?
Could he be an option for the Hornets?
Maybe Holmes and Mitchell for Plumblee, Bouknight and a pair of second round picks?
Holmes giving Hornets a presence down low. Mitchell also giving them a good defender could be a great fit long term next to ball in the backcourt. For the Kings, Plumblee as a back up centre and Bouknight as a possible long term fit starting with Fox in the backcourt. Plus some picks for the kings.
Kings say no real quick!
I don’t see the kings making that move. They absolutely need Mitchell’s perimeter defense. He is probably a better fit than bouknight next to fox. Take the rooks out and it’s gotta be close
Yeah it just depends on the value of Mitchell and how much they want to keep him.
He’s been pretty solid tho and I wouldn’t move him just thinking they should attach something to Holmes to get something better.
Bouknight is in need of a fresh start on a new team and getting some minutes. Think he has really good potential and just isn’t getting a chance. Could be a future all star
Davion isn’t leaving Sac…. He is the reason Tyrese was expendable.
Downgrade at guard and backup big for two 2nd round picks which the kings already have in spades
Holmes has had some crazy injuries. He has been playing with basically a broken face. He is still good though, if they showcase him some with the right lineups, he should bring back at least a protected 1.
I liked what Holmes brought last year. But he doesn’t play enough. Not sure if its conditioning or what. He’s talented on defense and is a good rim runner. I think he’d shine with Melo in Charlotte. His fouls per game are down this year so I wonder if it’s conditioning or matchups. Now that you have Sabonis its easier to understand moving Holmes. I thought he’d be great in Boston, but Williams is better. I just like Holmes size, energy, and athleticism. Mavs or Hornets would be a good change of scenery.
6’8 midget Williams. Holmes is a real center
When players get a 15% trade kicker in their deals, do they expect to ever get it? I’m sure there was one, but I don’t remember a situation where it wasn’t waived to complete the deal.
There have been at least a handful of players who got trade bonuses in the last few years, but it’s almost been a player in the final season of his contract — it’s a lot easier to accommodate a 15% bonus when it applies to just a couple months worth of salary than when it applies to multiple years worth of salary.
I remember Matt Geiger’s trade kicker was what nixed an Allen Iverson-to-Detroit trade back in 2000. He refused to waive it, so the whole trade scheme fell apart.
Raps could make a play for him he was a target of theres over the last few years
I don’t see what the issue is. The answer is quite simple, but the Kings will make Mountains out of Mole Hills. Move Holme to the Power Forward Spot, which is actually Holmes Normal Position. The Kings turned him into a Center.
New Staring Line Up :
—————————-
6-10 PF Holmes 14pts / 8 rbd / 1 blk
6-8 SF Barnes 17pts / 6rbd / 3ast
6-11 C Sabonis 19pts / 12rbd / 1blk / 5 ast
6-6 SG DiVincenzo 10pts /4rbd / 3ast
6-3 PG Fox 21pts / 3rbd / 6ast
He can play as pf..i hope bulls get him.