Thunder Draft Report: Dayton's DaRon Holmes II

The Oklahoma City Thunder should take a look at Dayton Flyers forward DaRon Holmes II as a modern-day big man who fits their needs.

Dayton v Arizona / Chris Gardner/GettyImages

Despite battling for a top spot in the Western Conference, the OKC Thunder still have an absorbent amount of picks, including a projected lottery pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Let’s take a look at DaRon Holmes II and how he would fit in the Thunder system.

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Draft Profile 

Height: 6'10

Weight: 221

Wingspan: N/A

Age: 21

School: Dayton

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Quick Scouting Report

Holmes II has seen his stock rise ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft and that will only continue as the Dayton Flyers march through the madness of the NCAA Tournament. Averaging 20.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.9 stocks per game, the junior has improved his shooting stroke converting the 3-ball at a 38 percent clip. 

If Holmes II can truly space the floor at the next level, something that feels projectable coupling his 3-point uptick with a smooth jump shot and hitting that 70 percent mark from the free throw line, he becomes an instant fit in the NBA as a modern big man. 

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Strengths and Weakness

Strengths

The Dayton Flyer big man is a typical play-finishing big. His screening versatility keeps defenses off-balance and allows his offense to create mismatches. As a roll man, cutter and in the dunker spot, Holmes II will be a force at the next level. He can live above the rim as a lob threat.

Holmes II in a role where he is not the best player on the floor he projects to have a playmaking uptick. Making quick decisions at the elbow or as a roller with the ball in his hands or swinging the rock around the perimeter he could be a high-end connective playmaker.

His shot-blocking timing is top-notch and rarely does he sacrifice positioning to do so making him a high-end rim protector. Seeing him on an island is not an automatic panic situation and the effort plays will generate more possessions for his team, sparking transition.

Weaknesses

There are questions if his shooting jump is real during this junior season, though, there are signs that should make you feel good. There are still some questions about how he can handle life in the NBA as a pick-and-roll defender when not playing drop, but ultimately, Holmes II is one of the best big men prospects in the 2024 class. 

Thunder Fit

Future Role 

Holmes II would project as a high-level bench big on a lot of teams or a fifth-best starter on some squads. His rim-finishing, threat of floor spacing and motor make him a winning player who can fit on almost every NBA team. 

Rotation Fit

The Flyers big man instantly snags the Thunder’s backup big man role if Oklahoma City selects him in the 2024 NBA Draft. With Mark Daigneault’s willingness to explore lineups Holmes II and Holmgren might make a great change of pace duo for the Thunder against certain matchups. 

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