You might remember Ryan Hollins from such players as “The Guy Who Played Backup Center For A Clippers Team That Needed An Upgrade At Backup Center.”
In free agency, the Clippers signed Spencer Hawes to replace Hollins – even though it hard-capped them and led to trading Jared Dudley and first-round pick and eating a $950,000 cap hit for each of the next five seasons. Doc Rivers saw upgrading from Hollins as that important.
Meanwhile, in Northern California…
Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports:
The @SacramentoKings have agreed in principle to sign center @TheRyanHollins to one-year, fully guaranteed deal, a source told Yahoo Sports
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) September 18, 2014
One team’s trash is another’s treasure. The Kings are woefully undermanned at center behind DeMarcus Cousins, and Hollins is in line to become the primary backup.
Hollins shot 74 percent last season, but he has no range beyond the rim. He works as the screener in pick-and-rolls, and finishing dump-off passes. But don’t expect post-ups or anything else too fancy. He’s a dreadful rebounder for his size and an ineffective rim protector.
Hollins belongs in the NBA, and a minimum deal seems fair. The full guarantee was likely required considering the other teams to show interest – Lakers, Spurs, Bulls and Heat – are more appealing destinations than Sacramento.
On the whole, this seems like a good match.