One intriguing Rockets trade target that could be available this season

The Houston Rockets have been linked to a lot of guards in trade rumors since Fred VanVleet's injury. Jrue Holiday would be as good a choice as any.

Derrick White has been floated as well. To be sure, he'd make an excellent addition to this roster. If the Rockets are willing to invest substantial draft capital to upgrade their backcourt, White would be a perfect choice.

That said, the quality of the player isn't the only variable to consider. A team also has to look at trade value. White's cost on the trade market would likely be exorbitant.

By contrast, Holiday could be reasonably affordable.

Rockets trade target should be within their means

Holiday is already 35 years old, and he's coming off a down year. In 2024-25, he averaged 11.1 points and 3.9 assists per game with a 0.7 Box Plus/Minus (BPM) for the Celtics. Holiday's perimeter defense remains elite, but his offensive production is slipping. That's partly a product of role - the Celtics are stacked - but can also be attributed to his age.

In Houston, he'd split the difference between his former role and his current one. The Rockets would lean on him for more ball-handling than the Celtics did, but they wouldn't expect him to be a primary playmaker. So, he'd be a good addition to the team.

The questions are: Would Portland trade him, and how much would he cost?

Rockets should inquire about Holiday

The Blazers just acquired Holiday. They presumably did so intentionally. Portland attached two second-round picks to the much younger Anfernee Simons to bring Holiday on board.

It was a somewhat puzzling move. The Blazers are just two summers removed from spending the third overall pick in a loaded draft class on Scoot Henderson. Acquiring Holiday to put in front of him certainly turned some heads.

Perhaps Portland wants his veteran mentorship. If that's the case, they may feel that his work is done by the trade deadline. The strange fit between the Blazers' and Holiday's timelines at least gives us reason to wonder whether he might be available this year.

Price-wise, a market was just set for Holiday's services: Simons and two second-rounders. That should be equivalent to, say, Fred VanVleet and a lightly protected first, or a collection of veteran contracts and Reed Sheppard.

That's not to say the Rockets should make either move. They'd complicate their salary sheet by adding Holiday's deal. They may not be ready to give up on Sheppard. Still, to play Devil's advocate, Holiday is an elite perimeter defender who can make plays and create shots.

If he is available this year, the team has to at least look at him.