Ron Holland is a polarizing prospect who has a lot of upside. Being somewhat of a surprise pick for the Pistons at number five, some aren’t enthusiastic about Holland’s rookie preview. He doesn’t lack talent, though, and the franchise may be more to blame for these opinions than the prospect.
Let’s look at Holland’s rookie preview for this upcoming season.
NBA Rookie Preview: Ron Holland
Prospect Profile
Holland was the number two overall prospect in the class of 2023. He chose to forego college eligibility and play for the NBA’s G-league Ignite program. He first burst onto the NBA draft scene in the Ignite’s exhibition game against the Perth Wildcats of the NBL. Holland scored 33 points and racked up five steals in a game that included another top prospect, Alex Sarr.
This performance vaulted him into number one overall pick conversations and had many intrigued by his potential. As most know, the Ignite would go on to have a tumultuous season that eventually ended in their permanent cancellation. This fact and minor injuries gave way to what was an inconsistent season for Holland overall. He finished averaging 20.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 3.1 assists in 14 games of action. While these are pretty good numbers, his efficiency was subpar; he shot 47.4% from the field and just 23.9% from deep.
Overall, though, Holland is a six-foot-eight wing that possesses great athleticism. While he didn’t have the most consistent performance, he still can impact the game on both ends. His NBA-ready size and athleticism should translate well to filling different roles for any NBA team. Another shining attribute of Holland’s game is his motor. He plays with a lot of energy on both ends, especially in transition and defense. Holland may be able to guard positions one through four, even at the NBA level.
If Holland’s shooting and ball-handling ability trend upwards and progress, he does possess star potential in a class that sorely lacks it.
Team Fit
Team fit is where Holland’s rookie preview becomes shaky. His fit next to other non-shooting threats like Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren is not ideal. The Pistons did try to address this issue by acquiring veteran guards Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. Tobias Harris was another major signing of the offseason, but even still the roster is seen as uninspiring. Harris also plays the combo-forward spot, just as Holland projects to. In terms of the backcourt, Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham are young stars, with Cunningham being a possible franchise cornerstone.
Overall, the Pistons have tried to address issues from this past season. However, their signings were mediocre, and there’s an argument that they went from a terrible team to just a ‘bad’ team. Holland’s fit is interesting because the veteran signings will take away minutes on the wings and at the forward positions. He is a prospect who may need opportunities and reps in his improvement areas. It will be hard for his decision-making and perimeter shooting to significantly improve when he’s limited to an off-the-bench role and sparse creation opportunities.
Predictions
Admittedly, I don’t think Holland’s rookie preview sees him entering the best situation in Detroit. The team probably won’t have a playoff-competitive roster overall, yet the roster will have just enough veteran players to limit his opportunities. Holland isn’t a prospect like Reed Sheppard either, where he can bank on super high efficiency within a specific role. This doesn’t bode well for Rookie of the Year chances or even All-Rookie selections.
Once again, though, Holland has as much natural talent and ability as arguably anyone in this draft. There’s a chance that his talent and work ethic outshine veteran signings and poor roster fitment. He may even be a player to look out for near the end of the season when younger players’ development becomes a priority for non-playoff teams. The same could be said if injuries occur to the Pistons’ roster. In any stretch like these, Holland could make a push for All-Rookie teams and win a couple of ‘Rookie of the Month’ titles with his raw ability.
