I think many of us were intrigued when the Houston Rockets re-signed Aaron Holiday this past offseason to a one-year, $3.08 million deal to return to the team as a backup point guard. Many expected Holiday to move on to somewhere with more playing time than with the Rockets, especially since Reed Sheppard was viewed as the point guard of the future.
However, after the Fred VanVleet injury, Reed and Amen Thompson saw extended run as a starting point guard, meaning Holiday became the de facto reserve point guard. Holiday appeared in 57 games this past season and averaged 13.7 minutes per night, but appeared to fall out of the rotation towards the middle of the season. Holiday averaged 5.5 points and 1.1 assists per game and remained one of the team’s most productive three-point shooters, shooting 39.4 percent from beyond the arc and 41.7 percent from the field. He made 72 threes for the season. These stats, while not insane, are pretty solid for a guy who is only sometimes in the rotation.
We keep bringing this up, but it’s hard to get a feel for who sticks from the back end of the bench, since it all hinges on how the Rockets view Reed Sheppard, which, after this season, is still unclear. There appears to be a disconnect between how the front office views him and how Ime Udoka views him. But it’s good Houston has that flexibility with Holiday’s affordability, where they can easily re-sign him, or let him walk to a club with more playing time. He’s been a great veteran presence for the team the last two seasons, whether or not Houston’s front office resigns him to a new contract.
Now time for what everyone wants to hear: my opinion on Aaron Holiday, and whether I would want him to return next season. Now, it’s no secret I myself am an Aaron Holiday enjoyer; in fact, I consider myself a member of the Holiday Homies (yes, I just made up this fan club). I feel that Aaron did well in his limited minutes this season, and never directly cost the Rockets any games. Despite this, I am unsure about resigning Holiday as with Fred Vanvleet making a return this upcoming season, along with the emergence of Reed Sheppard, I am unsure if there will be consistent minutes for Holiday, so I could see him seeking a new contract on a team with more playing time. All in all, I will give Aaron Holiday a solid C+ for this season.