Cleveland Cavaliers draft profile: DaRon Holmes II

DaRon Holmes is an intriguing prospect who could fall to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2024 NBA Draft. He’s a mobile big with a clear path to becoming an impactful rotational player in the pros.

General information:

College: Dayton

Position: Power forward

Year: Junior

Stats: 20.4 pts (54.4% FG / 38.6 3PT% / 71.3 FT%), 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.1 blocks

Measurables:

Age: 21

Height: 6’ 10”

Weight: 236

Wingspan: 7’1”

Strengths

Holmes’ greatest strength is his versatility. There are few players his size that move as gracefully. He handles the ball with fluidity, showcasing immense upside as a modern big who can pass, dribble and shoot.

His athleticism pops when he’s bursting around slower bigs, diving to the basket or running free in transition. He’s a superb lob threat and dynamic interior scorer, placing in the 86th percentile as a finisher in the paint.

The Dayton Flyers frequently utilized Holmes as an initiator in dribble hand-offs. This allowed Holmes to flex his feel for the game, making reads as a distributor and scorer. His ability to run this action with such precision makes Holmes a unique talent — and one who could be valuable in today’s NBA.

Three-point shooting will be a swing factor for Holmes. He shot 35% on 109 total attempts in college but did not begin taking perimeter shots with any sort of volume until his junior season. His growth in this department is undeniable, improving each year in both three-point and free throw percentage. Holmes’s draft stock rises significantly if you have faith that he can serve as a true floor-spacer.

Bringing all of this together, Holmes also projects to be a capable defender. He’s an explosive shot blocker and agile enough to possess some switchability on the perimeter. His athleticism could lead to Holmes being a defensive Swiss army knife at his peak.

Weaknesses

The crux of Holmes lies in how much you believe in any of his skills. His ceiling may be lower as an older prospect, slated to begin his rookie season at 22 years old. His three-point shooting was a non-factor before this recent season. And, there’s the possibility that his speed and agility aren’t as impressive against NBA-level competition.

Holmes will have to prove that he can hold up defensively. Containing switches will be much more difficult than it was in Dayton. There are also concerns that Holmes lacks the size to maintain his prowess as a shot blocker. Though, it’s worth noting that premiere defensive anchors such as Jarrett Allen and Bam Adebayo essentially share his 6’10” frame.

Offensively, Holmes needs to show that his growth as a shooter is legit. Removing the three-point shot from his developmental path would put a cap on his potential ceiling. Nonetheless, Holmes’ ability to finish lobs and initiate dribble-hand-offs should translate and make him a contributor on offense — if he can adjust to the speed of the NBA.

Where he could help the Cavaliers

The Cavs appear content to run it back with the core four next season. That means most fans will continue to yearn for a traditional small forward this summer. While Holmes doesn’t fit that mold, he brings value elsewhere.

It has been years since the Cavaliers felt comfortable in their frontcourt depth. Holmes can provide an upgrade on the bench — with the bar being set at Georges Niang and 33-year-old Tristan Thompson.

Holmes’ proficiency in modern NBA actions such as the dribble-hand-off makes him an intriguing fit with any of Cleveland’s lead guards. There’s much use for a player of his skill tree and the proper refinement could make Holmes a grand slam outside of the lottery.

Game to watch: Dayton vs Cincinnati

Final verdict

Holmes poses a real chance of being this draft’s hidden gem. His ease as a ball handler makes him a fascinating prospect when paired with his defensive skillset and potential three-point shooting. I will confidently bet on Holmes sticking his NBA landing, whether it is in Cleveland or somewhere else.