The Houston Rockets have bolstered their backcourt with the signing of guard Aaron Holiday on a one-year contract. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the agreement between Holiday and the Rockets, solidifying the end of his tenure with the Atlanta Hawks. The deal is reportedly worth the NBA minimum salary, according to The Athletic.
Holiday, who spent the 2022-23 season with the Hawks, primarily came off the bench for the franchise. In 63 games, he posted averages of 3.9 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 41.8 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from beyond the arc.
The 26-year-old guard was originally selected by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft after his collegiate career at UCLA. Holiday spent three seasons with the Pacers, where he played 182 games and averaged 7.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. He showcased his shooting ability by shooting 40.3 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from deep during his time in Indiana.
Following his stint with the Pacers, Holiday split the 2021-22 season between the Washington Wizards and the Phoenix Suns. In 63 games across the two franchises, he contributed 6.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, shooting 44.7 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from beyond the arc.
Although Holiday’s minutes with the Hawks last season primarily came when Trae Young or Dejounte Murray were unavailable, he proved to be a reliable depth option for Atlanta down the stretch. Unsurprisingly, his performance caught the attention of other teams during the offseason, ultimately leading to his signing with the Rockets.
Holiday’s value lies in his combination of on-ball defense, steady ball-handling, and strong three-point shooting. Over the past two seasons, the 6-foot-0 guard has maintained averages of 5.1 points and 1.9 assists in just 14.8 minutes per game, shooting an impressive 39.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Given his size, Holiday is expected to primarily assume point guard responsibilities. However, with the potential shift of Kevin Porter Jr. to a more wing-oriented role under new head coach Ime Udoka, there could be additional opportunities for Holiday to take on floor-general duties within the Rockets’ offense in the upcoming 2023-24 season.
Holiday will join rookie Amen Thompson as backup point guard options behind the recently signed veteran Fred VanVleet. The Rockets have also added other experienced free agents during the 2023 free agency period, including Dillon Brooks, Jock Landale, and Jeff Green.
With the addition of Aaron Holiday, the Houston Rockets have addressed their need for guard depth, providing them with a capable player who brings a solid skill set to the team. As the Rockets continue to reshape their roster, fans can look forward to seeing how Holiday contributes to the team’s on-court success in the upcoming season.