Ron

Holland

Holland made strides throughout his time in Las Vegas, and Sunday’s performance may have been the rookie’s best. The fifth overall pick shot over 50% from the field, leading the Pistons in scoring. Holland scored 20 points or more in his last two games in Las Vegas, and he shot 2-of-6 from three on Sunday. The rookie’s development as a shooter will significantly impact his fantasy value. Still, Holland won’t lack opportunities to show what he can do, as Detroit is in the midst of a rebuild.

Holland has been highly active on both ends of the floor in Las Vegas, with the athleticism and motor (10 fourth-quarter points) being two reasons he was the fifth overall pick in last month’s draft. The perimeter shot remains a work in progress, as Holland was 1-of-5 on Friday, but he’s willing to take those shots. And that can be a big part of the battle for a young player whose shooting struggles are well-known. Even with Holland not being a great shooter, he stands to be a valuable fantasy option with the Pistons rebuilding. The hope is that new assistant coach Fred Vinson, who’s well-known for his work with struggling shooters, can give Holland a needed boost.

Holland’s most significant weakness at this stage is the perimeter shot, which could be about a lack of confidence instead of poor mechanics. The rookie only attempted two 3-pointers on Saturday, but his explosive athletic ability put Holland in a position to crack the 76ers’ defense off the dribble. The hiring of assistant coach Fred Vinson wasn’t made solely with Holland in mind, but working with the shooting guru can help the rookie moving forward.

The Pistons surprised many when they selected Holland with the fifth overall pick in Wednesday’s draft, as the G League Ignite product did not work out for the team during the pre-draft process. One of the rookie’s perceived weaknesses is his perimeter shot, but there’s a strong belief that new assistant coach Fred Vinson will help with that. “He impacts the game in so many other ways that I think are going to help us immediately, the shot’s going to come,” Langdon said of Holland. “I don’t think he ever had fear shooting the ball, and I think having Fred here gives me a lot more — a lot less concern, how about that? — that it’s going to turn out.” Vinson is renowned for his work, as he’s improved the shot of many players at his various stops in the NBA. What he can do with Holland will significantly impact the rookie’s fantasy ceiling in 2024-25.

After being a consensus top-two player in his high school class, Holland decided to join the G League Ignite instead of going the college route. In 29 total appearances for them, Holland averaged 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.3 steals, 0.9 blocks and 0.8 triples per game. He’s an unreal athlete, but he didn’t shoot the ball well. He shot 46% from the floor, 24% from deep and 72.8% from the free throw line. He won’t turn 19 until after the draft, and he should be able to make an impact on the defensive end. However, his upside will be determined by his jumper. If he can improve his shot, or be impactful on offense without it, he has the makings of an elite player in this league. The Pistons have already made a ton of changes this summer and could certainly make more. Holland will form an intriguing young defensive duo alongside Ausar Thompson, who also has issues with his shot. Detroit added Fred Vinson to their coaching staff this summer, and he is known for helping players fix their jumpers. If Vinson can turn Holland into a competent shooter, the sky is the limit for him.

Making his unofficial professional debut, Holland was the most consistent performer on the court Thursday night. Projected to be a top-3 selection in next summer’s draft, the 6-foot-8 forward was in attack mode throughout the win over Perth, impacting the action on both ends of the floor. The two teams are scheduled to play again on Friday, so Perth should have a better idea of what they’re dealing with regarding the task of defending Holland. That said, he’ll also have some “reference points” to work with. And Holland’s first professional game went about as well as anyone could hope for.