Indiana Pacers: Can Aaron Holiday make a Devonte’ Graham-like leap next year?

Devonte’ Graham had a huge step-forward year in his sophomore season. Can Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Holiday to the same in his third season?

In his sophomore season, Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Holiday has taken a decent step forward, leaning into playing time that nearly doubled compared to his rookie season.

While success and development come at different times for each player — development is a very personal process — a substantial amount of players take a leap in their third year.

The rookie season often goes one of two ways. Players either are very ready for the stage and excel — Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, etc. — or they spend the year getting acclimated. The latter is true for the non-star players and players not immediately launched into starting roles.

From there, the second year is more learning and development, often folding in what was learned in the rookie season.

Then, the third year is refining that entire process. With two full years of learning under the belt, the third-year jump makes sense.

Holiday’s draft classmate, Devonte’ Graham, had a great leap this season, his sophomore year.

Graham went from averaging 4.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 14.7 minutes per game to 18.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in 35.1 minutes per game this year.

Part of it is simply increased opportunity, yes, but Graham wasn’t starting to begin the season, his improved play forced the Hornets to create a way in which to start both him and Terry Rozier in the backcourt.

Per 36 minutes, Graham’s stats are all up as well.

Graham’s efficiency on offense has taken a major leap, he’s shooting 37.3 percent beyond the arc compared to last season where he converted on just 28.1 percent of his threes. His true shooting percentage went from 45.9 percent to 53.7 percent.

Holiday’s leap has been good this year. He went from 5.9 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 12.9 minutes to 9.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 23.6 minutes per game. He improved his 3-point shooting to 39.4 percent from 33.9 percent last year.

From rookie to present, can Holiday take a similar leap to Graham?

Graham’s leap is an extremely rare one, and a big part of it has to do with increased opportunity. The Hornets said goodbye to franchise star Kemba Walker this summer and minutes in the backcourt were readily available. There was a clear role for Graham to reach out and grab, and to his credit he did just that.

Holiday’s opportunity will certainly not be that great. With Victor Oladipo and Malcolm Brogdon leading the ball-handling opportunities in the starting backcourt, Holiday is most frequently running with Domantas Sabonis who takes most of the team’s shots in the second unit.

Holiday takes 8.6 field goals per game, and his smaller stature makes it somewhat difficult for him to create for himself.

Holiday has flashed some potential throughout this season. In December, he received an increase in playing time and averaged 12.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game with a true shooting percentage of 59.6, his most accurate month of the season.

A Graham-like leap is probably out of the question given the fact that Holiday is asked to man the second unit and that Sabonis uniquely takes on a centerpiece role within the offense. But if the Pacers can find more opportunities for him, it seems as if Holiday knows he has it in him to take advantage of more shots and an increased role.