Lockport's Holmes Enters Training Camp With New Contract

SACRAMENTO, CA —When the NBA's Sacramento Kings hold their Media Day on Monday ahead of Training Camp, starting center Richaun Holmes will meet reporters as the proud owner of a new four-year contract worth in the neighborhood of $55 million, according to NBA sources.

Holmes, a graduate of Lockport High School, signed the deal on Aug. 6 after turning in a 2020-21 season in which he started a career-high 61 games -he'd never started more than 38 in his previous five previous NBA seasons - and averaged career highs in points (14.2 ppg) and rebounds (8.2 rpg). Holmes also shot 63.6 percent from the field, which was second in the NBA behind Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert.

"I've played some of my best basketball in Sacramento but the best is yet to come. I look forward to continuing to push towards the playoffs and beyond." Holmes told the Kings website when he signed the new contract.

Holmes often plays at the rim, and he had 91 dunks last season. But he also showed an ability to make a floater in the lane, which earlier this week inspired the Sacramento Kings to post a video compilation of those shots on YouTube under the heading "Richaun Holmes Push Shot Supercut!"

Some of Holmes' most important contributions have come on the defense end of the floor. According to InStat, Holmes ranked No. 1 in the league last season among defenders in stopping their opponent in isolated possessions.

Sacramento general manager Monte McNair said he was overjoyed to have the 27-year-old Holmes in the fold for another four years.

"This is a great day for Richaun and the entire Kings organization," McNair said on the day Holmes signed his new contract. "Richaun brings toughness, skill and versatility to the court. His energy is the perfect fit for our style of play and he represents the values of this organization. I'm excited to see what the future holds for him and this tremendously talented team we're building.”

The new contract was another impressive accomplishment for a player who did not have any Division I offer coming out of high school. Holmes attended Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills before going to Bowling Green.

A second-round pick (37th overall) of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2015, the 6-foot-10 Holmes played about 16 minutes per game during his first four NBA seasons, three with Philadelphia and one with the Phoenix Suns.

Holmes signed as a free agent with with the Kings in 2019. The team has struggled the last two seasons, but Holmes was given a chance to play, and he has thrived.

Marina Drab, who covers the Kings for SactownRoylty.com, recently wrote that Holmes was "arguably the most consistent player on the Kings all season long (in 2020-21)."

Drab then analyzed Holmes' game entering the upcoming season, when he'll once again be part of a Kings nucleus that includes De'Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton. The group will be trying to improve on last year's 31-41 record.

"Best-case, Holmes continues to develop as a defensive juggernaut" Drab wrote. "Though a dismal year in terms of defense for the team at large, Holmes was a stabilizing defensive presence in the front court."

Drab added: "At 27 years old, now is the time for Holmes is maximize on his potential. He was able to produce 21 double-doubles this past season through 61 games played. If that number could go from one third to one half, I would be pleased with Holmes' development."

However, Drab added a word of caution.

"Worst-case, Holmes plateaus or doesn't continue with his upward trajectory. Although I don't think this is going to be the case," Drab wrote.