Explaining Aaron Holiday’s true value to the Rockets

The Houston Rockets’ emphasis on defense last summer came at the expense of offense and shooting, indirectly turning Aaron Holiday into a makeshift shooter, which wasn’t quite the plan.

Holiday was quite the wanderer, playing for four different teams in five seasons, and was one of the last players the Rockets signed last offseason. The Rockets signed two more point guards in Fred VanVleet and Amen Thompson, leading many to question whether Holiday would actually make the roster or just be a training camp participant.

Not only did he make the roster, but he was also named to Rockets coach Ime Udoka’s final lineup several times. Holiday’s 38.7 percent from distance (on just 2.8 attempts) was second best on the team, only Reggie Bullock was better. Holiday also played with tremendous effort on defense.

Admittedly, Holiday was also a bit greedy with the ball, which is not something you would expect from your point guard.

The Rockets ultimately decided to bring Holiday back for a two-year contract worth around $10 million.

And the reason for bringing him back had little to do with his ability on the pitch. The reason was simple: salary increase.

The contract includes a team option in the final year, similar to the contracts of Jae’Sean Tate, Jeff Green and even Fred VanVleet. The Rockets have placed so much emphasis on flexibility in their contract extensions that it has become somewhat of a theme.

Jock Landale also has a largely non-guaranteed contract, with only $8 million of his $32 million contract guaranteed.

In total, Landale, Holiday, Tate and Green make a combined $28 million in salary supplements, and that’s not even counting VanVleet, who makes over $40 million alone. The Rockets are ready to make a big move for a superstar because, in addition to the salary supplements they need, they have the resources to pull it off.

Holiday’s offer only increases this number.

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