The importance of the John Holland signing

BROOKLYN, NY - FEBRUARY 8: John Holland
BROOKLYN, NY - FEBRUARY 8: John Holland /
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What’s so important about the Cleveland Cavaliers signing John Holland to a two-way contract?

If there’s one thing John Holland has proved he can do, it’s score. What’s more, while he may be a streaky three-point shooter, he can certainly make it rain from deep.

That’s why the Cleveland Cavaliers signing Holland to a two-way contract is ingenious and there’s little doubt assistant general manager Mike Gansey wasn’t a driving force in their decision.

Gansey is the general manager of the Canton Charge, the Cavs’ NBA G-League affiliate, and the reigning G-League Executive of the Year. Holland spent the last two seasons playing for the Charge.

On-the-court, Holland’s best traits are exactly what the Cavs will be missing with Isaiah Thomas out for the beginning of the season. Slashing, three-point shooting and making really tough shots. Those are also three basketball skills that Irving displayed nightly and what helped the Cavs engine run.

A guard who can get to the rim, make jump shots and is fearless. The perfect complement to LeBron James.

Fortunately, the Cavs will be able to use Holland’s scoring prowess to their advantage throughout Thomas’ rehab process because, according to the new CBA, players who sign two-way contracts are able to play on both an NBA team and their G-League affiliates.

Holland likely won’t be scoring 22.9 points per game with the Cavs like he did for the Canton Charge last season.

However, Holland just has to space the floor in the ways that Derrick Rose (who leaves a lot to be desired as a three-point shooter) can’t and provide the scoring punch that Jose Calderon lacks at this point in his career. That much, he can do.

Holland, who played three games for the Cavs in last year’s preseason, averaged 10.7 points per game (in 18.8 minutes per game) while shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from three-point range while playing against legitimate NBA talent. While playing with the Charge for the past two seasons, Holland has made 49.7 percent of his shots and 35.5 percent of his three-point attempts (his career average in college) while scoring 19.5 points per game (in 34.5 minutes per game).

Save for the three-point shooting, Holland’s scoring impact and ability to score inside the arc is pretty consistent and he should be able to score about 20 points per 36 minutes.

Where Holland had a hair-trigger from beyond deep, he was quick and decisive with his drives which lead to plenty of open shots around the rim. Furthermore, Holland has exhibited both an affinity for and ability to hit tough jump shots off-the-dribble.

If he starts, and he eventually could due to Thomas’ health, Rose’s lack of durability and inability to be a three-point threat, Holland will be a solid offensive playmaker that provides the spacing the Cavs would likely prefer from their starting point guard.

Though not a point guard by trade, Holland has plenty of experience handling the ball and will even operate as a lead guard at times. Furthermore, playing beside LeBron James will make it easier for Holland because he doesn’t have to be the primary facilitator.

There are defensive benefits too. With his size (6-foot-5) and athleticism, Holland can defend either guard position should he be sharing the court with Rose or Calderon, two players lacking in lateral agility and defensive tenacity. That gives the Cavs additional flexibility with their lineups, a factor that should allow all backcourt players to play to their strengths while Thomas is out.

Related Story: Cavs sign John Holland to two-way contract

The last thing to note about the move is that there’s only one spot left for two-way contracts while Kay Felder and Edy Tavares are on the Cleveland Cavaliers roster bubble.

As a result, one of Felder or Tavares is likely to be waived prior to camp and won’t be brought back on a two-way contract. With the arrival of center Ante Zizic and the investment the Cavs made in Felder just last year, Tavares would seem to be the odd man out.

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