With the Houston Rockets thriving but needing backcourt clarity, a trade for the breakout Phoenix guard—an ideal “Aaron Holiday upgrade”—could provide the offensive stability they crave for a deep playoff run.
The Houston Rockets have defied expectations. Despite the season-ending loss of Fred VanVleet, they’ve surged to a 16-6 record behind a reimagined offense helmed by Alperen Şengün, Kevin Durant, and a committee of young guards. Yet, a subtle but persistent question lingers: could a roster already boasting the league’s second-best offense and net rating be even better with one more reliable piece? According to analysis from Derek Parker of Sports Illustrated, the answer may lie in a familiar trade partner and a surprising name: Collin Gillespie of the Phoenix Suns.
Houston Rockets v Toronto Raptors
The Case for an “Aaron Holiday Upgrade”
Since VanVleet’s injury, the Rockets have admirably split point guard duties between Amen Thompson (evolving playmaker) and Reed Sheppard (steady rookie). Veteran Aaron Holiday has also stepped up. The trio hasn’t been a weakness, but as Parker notes, for a team with championship aspirations to rival Oklahoma City, “neither of these players are absolutely ideal options.”
This is where Collin Gillespie enters the conversation. The 25-year-old is having a true breakout season for the surprisingly competitive Suns, averaging 13.1 points, 4.8 assists, and shooting a blistering 42.6% from three-point range. His profile is that of a low-turnover, high-efficiency combo guard who can space the floor and make quick decisions—precisely the skillset to bolster Houston’s second unit.
“He could represent the Rockets’ ideal Aaron Holiday upgrade,” Parker posits. Gillespie would not start, but as a reliable third guard, he could solidify the rotation, reduce the creative burden on Thompson, and provide a steady, shooting-heavy hand next to the stars in closing lineups.
Collin Gillespie
The Feasibility: A Complex Dance with Phoenix
The major hurdle is motivation. Why would the Suns, currently in the playoff mix, trade one of their most pleasant surprises? The calculus hinges on Phoenix’s long-term outlook and Houston’s unique leverage.
The Rockets control multiple of Phoenix’s future first-round picks (from the Kevin Durant trade). If the Suns’ front office views their current hot start as potentially unsustainable—especially after a recent 49-point loss to Oklahoma City highlighted their flaws—they might be tempted to “cash in” on Gillespie’s peak value to regain crucial draft capital for future flexibility.
For Houston, the cost is the question. Is a player with 25 games of star-level production worth a first-round pick? The analysis suggests probably not, but the Rockets’ “win-now” posture around Kevin Durant’s twilight years might justify an aggressive move to secure the perfect role player. A package centered on a protected future first and a young player could be the starting point.
The Verdict: A Calculated Gamble for Championship Polish
Acquiring Collin Gillespie would not be a seismic, headline-grabbing move. It wouldn’t solve the Rockets’ need for a primary ball-handler, a role they seem committed to developing internally with Thompson and Sheppard.
Instead, it would be a masterclass in roster optimization—a targeted strike to eliminate the one remaining “what if?” in their backcourt depth. It’s the type of shrewd, under-the-radar transaction that historically separates good teams from genuine contenders in the grueling NBA playoffs. For a Rockets team that already has the star power and system, a player like Gillespie could be the final, perfect gear to make the championship machine hum.