No-brainer Jrue Holiday Rockets trade is too good for Blazers to ignore

The Houston Rockets have been linked to a lot of point guards since Fred VanVleet's injury, and some targets have made more sense than others. If Jrue Holiday is available at any point in the season, he'd be the most sensible target imaginable.

Many fans resist trade hypotheticals. It's understandable. Most online proposals are riddled with flaws. The Jrue Holiday proposal in this piece, arguably, is no exception.

Let's get into it.

Holiday would be a challenging acquisition for the Rockets

Let's start by examining the errors.

VanVleet has a no-trade clause in 2025-26. He'd have to approve this deal, and he probably wouldn't.

Who could blame him? The Blazers are only making this move if they're dissatisfied with their season as the deadline approaches. By every indication, they acquired Holiday in an effort to win games. They won't be interested in an injured VanVleet, so they'd be doing this deal exclusively for the unprotected first.

After all, they wouldn't be interested in Capela either. The Blazers have Yang Hansen, Donovan Clingan, and Robert Williams III at the 5. Capela is only here to make the money work, but the Rockets may miss him. Adding Reap softens that blow, but he's a vastly different player. He'd give Houston some floor spacing, but he's not the same kind of rebounder or defender that Capela is.

So, having ripped my own idea apart, you'd think I'd change my tune on this proposal.

You'd be wrong.

Rockets must consider Holiday if he's available

Firstly, let's assume VanVleet can be reasoned with. Suppose the Rockets are the third seed heading into the trade deadline. Acquiring Holiday would distinctly put them in the 2025-26 championship picture, and VanVleet may understand that.

So, we've fleshed out the hypothetical. The deadline is approaching. The Rockets are good, and on the cusp of great. The Blazers are bad, and looking to acquire assets.

In that event, this deal makes too much sense for the Rockets to ignore.

Holiday's stats have declined on a stacked Celtics squad. At 35 may never reach his previous heights again. He's still one of the best defensive guards in the NBA, and he can still create shots for himself. With solid playmaking instincts to boot, he'd be exactly what the Rockets need.

Is this likely to happen? No. The Rockets are more likely to stay the course, give extra reps to Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard, and prepare for VanVleet's 2026-27 return. Still, if the outlined hypothetical plays out, the Rockets would have to consider this move:

Even if the thought is annoying you as we speak.