I'm surprise by the Metu cut as well. Liked him. Think he's a better fit than Holmes.
As for James, the 2/3rd court defensive pressure that he played while on the court with Halliburton likely won him a spot. Rewatch those sequences--they were creating havoc--both 6'6 to 6'7, long, athletic, and decent to very high defensive hoops IQ.
Would like to see Fox, Halliburton, James, and Woodard on the court with Whiteside/Bags. That line up would give opposing offenses fits. And is built for transition.