Orlando Magic Daily
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5 under-the-radar free agents the Orlando Magic should pursue

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 14: Jeremy Lamb #3 of the Charlotte Hornets goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic on February 14, 2019 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 14: Jeremy Lamb #3 of the Charlotte Hornets goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic on February 14, 2019 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Richaun Holmes, Phoenix Suns
PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 6: Richaun Holmes #21 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on January 6, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Richaun Holmes, Phoenix Suns

The Philadelphia 76ers’ project to “Trust the Process” had a lot of moving components. Most people focus on the accumulation of draft picks and how they ended up using them to build the foundations of their team.

A big part of it though was signing quality young players that the draft forgot or passed over to long-term deals and letting them flourish on the team with playing time while still left under the team’s control.

No player represented this opportunity and this bargain quite like Richaun Holmes. As much as anyone, he embodied the process as a hard-working and energetic big man who could run the floor and block shots. Holmes just made all the energy plays.

Orlando seems likely to match just about any offer Khem Birch gets. But there is always the possibility Khem Birch gets a bit more than the Magic are willing to pay. As far as backup or third center options go, Holmes is among the best there could be.

He averaged 8.2 points and 1.1 blocks per game in 16.9 minutes per game with the Phoenix Suns last season. Those are in line with his numbers throughout his career. He is consistent with his ability to defend, block shots and finish around the basket.

Impressively, Holmes has had a positive defensive box plus-minus in every season of his career. That might be easy to do with the 76ers and their strong defensive track record. Doing that with last year’s Suns is a bit more impressive.

The Suns played their best defense last year with Holmes on the floor — 108.9 defensive rating with him on the floor was better than their season average and the best among regular rotation players.

That is what anyone who adds Holmes would sign up for. He is a good defender and player. If the Magic lose out on Birch, he would be a very close replacement for him. And definitely an option to keep around and use in much the same way.