Pistons pull a 'huge surprise,' take G League Ignite's Ron Holland with No. 5 pick
Madeline KenneyDetroit — Ron Holland was chilling in his black-beaded suit jacket Wednesday night at the NBA Draft when the Pistons were on the clock with the No. 5 pick.
Holland thought he was off the Pistons' radar. He didn’t have any contact with Detroit throughout the pre-draft process other than a meeting at the NBA Combine in Chicago. And while he had a workout with the Pistons scheduled on his initial list of interested teams, that session never happened.
Holland was stunned when league commissioner Adam Silver read off the Pistons’ pick and heard his name.
“I didn’t expect to go to Detroit,” Holland said on a conference call after he was selected. “It was a huge surprise to me.”
New president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said it was a strategy to keep the Pistons' prospects close to the vest. Very few people knew what Detroit's draft night plans were.
The Pistons fielded numerous calls with teams looking to trade up leading up to Wednesday. But when the time came, the phone didn't ring.
"Of course I would've been elated if we could have been able to collect an asset, move back and get a player of Ron's caliber," Langdon said. "But I think we're very, very happy getting Ron at our pick this year."
After Holland's initial shock passed, excitement for what was next flourished.
“I never thought I’d go fifth overall tonight,” Holland, a 6-foot-7 forward from G League Ignite, said. “But being put into this position and being blessed with this opportunity, I can’t wait to get to Detroit and just get to work.”
Holland was considered a potential No. 1 pick heading into last season but he ultimately became a tough prospect to evaluate given how poorly the now-defunct G League Ignite season played out. Still, he's only 18 and his high upside is undeniable.
Holland is a high-energy, two-way wing with star potential. He was the most productive player on the Ignite, leading the 2-32 team in scoring with 19.5 points per game. He also averaged 6.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.4 steals per game last season. His tenacious defense, though, is his calling card and ticket to playing time as a rookie.
While he’s shown the ability to create for himself and others and that he can be lethal in transition and with dribble penetration, Holland needs to improve as a shooter after going only 23.7% from deep last season. The good news is, though, the Pistons brought in respected shooting coach Fred Vinson this offseason, who could help Holland improve in that area.
Langdon spoke to several of Holland's Ignite teammates over the past few weeks. The biggest takeaways were his work ethic and "high compete level."
"(Holland was) frustrated by losing," Langdon said, "and he’s coming here to help us win."
Holland knows it won’t be an easy transition to the league, but he’s eager to get started.
“I have a lot to learn within the NBA but I definitely feel like I can step on the NBA floor right now and be able to produce, whether (it's) defensively or offensively,” Holland said. “But like I said I have a ways to go with learning…to become the best basketball player I can possibly be.”
Holland was preceded in the draft by 6-foot-9 Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher, whom the Atlanta Hawks drafted No. 1 overall. The rest of the top four was rounded out by the Washington Wizards taking French center Alexandre Sarr, the Houston Rockets drafting Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard and the San Antonio Spurs picking UConn guard Stephon Castle, respectively.
With UConn center Donovan Clingan still on the board when the Pistons' time came, there were whispers that Langdon could consider orchestrating a trade. Ultimately, Langdon stayed put and drafted Holland.
Holland, of Duncanville, Texas, will join the Pistons amid a massive front-office restructuring. As of Wednesday, Langdon is still looking for former general manager Troy Weaver’s replacement. The Pistons are also without a head coach since Monty Williams was fired last week after one season.
Holland has a preexisting relationship with Cade Cunningham, who grew up near him. That should aid in the transition.
He also knows the struggles of playing for an underwhelming team. The G League Ignite was shut down after winning only two games last season. Holland believes the adversity he endured last season should help him handle the situation he might be walking into with the Pistons.
“We fought every single day,” Holland said. “Now that I’m part of this program, I’ve been through this before…so we know it’s a lot of work and we know what it’s going to take to turn the franchise around.”
The Pistons will have to wait to make their No. 53 pick another day. The NBA made the move to make the annual one-night event into a two-day festivity. The second round of the draft will begin at 4 p.m. Thursday.
@madkenney