The 2018-19 Phoenix Suns had a lot of weak spots. However, they couldn’t have asked for much more in a backup center than what they got from Richaun Holmes.
This past Phoenix Suns season had a lot of ups and downs. As many things as there were to be down about, there were some moments and players that got you excited. Richaun Holmes was definitely a bright spot for the team.
One of the best parts about him was what it took to get him. Before the season started, he was acquired from Philadelphia for… nothing. Well, the Suns had to take on his contract, but they didn’t give up any thing to bring him here.
He backed up Joel Embiid on the Sixers but didn’t ever get consistent playing time in Philly. With Phoenix drafting Deandre Ayton with the top pick and already having veteran Tyson Chandler on the roster, his role here wasn’t a promised thing either.
However, he played well in limited minutes and Chandler agreed to a buyout which freed up the backup center position. Holmes saw the opening, played out of his mind to snatch a firm hold on the role, and he never looked back.
In 70 games, he shot about 61% from the field while averaging 8.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 16.9 minutes per game. Those are really good numbers for a backup big man, especially in less than 17 minutes per match.
He’s very efficient in limited playing time as that’s 17.5 points, 10 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per-36 minutes.
He’s exactly what you want in a backup center.
Richaun can rebound the ball (see 8 games with at least 9 rebounds).
He’s a defender that can patrol the paint and go return to sender mode on shots when needed. Ask the rival Lakers, as he had two 4-block games against them this season.
Holmes can get to the charity stripe and knock them down at a pretty good rate for a big man. About 48% of his field goal attempts resulted in free throws and he made them at about a 73% clip.
The team could have displayed a lot more energy, hustle and determination but he definitely didn’t have an issue doing just that. The passion he brings to the game is something to watch on it’s own and a big reason why Suns fans learned to really like him.
That and his finesse and power game. He wasn’t afraid to throw it down on anyone that got in his way but if it wasn’t a smart move to use that force, he showed off that pretty floater of his.
For a player that shot 61% from the field, he can get even better on offense. He made about 75% of his attempts at the rim and crushed 95 dunks, just 17 less than Embiid on the season. However, he only made 36% of his hook shots and 34% of his jump shots. If he can work on that and improve his mid range game, it will do wonders for him.
The Suns couldn’t have asked for much more than what he gave at the backup center spot this season. The question now is how much will he demand in the summer as he will be an unrestricted free agent.
Phoenix would be smart to re-sign him if they can get him for $7 million or less. If a team jumps in and offers him any more than that, though, it may be a good idea to just let him walk.