Aaron Holiday signs with Maxima Roma in Italy, ending his three-season stint with the Houston Rockets as a reliable bench guard. The veteran decided to pursue more playing time overseas after the Rockets added Marcus Smart and welcomed back Fred VanVleet this offseason. Holiday averaged 6.6 points and 1.8 assists in 16.3 minutes per game during his best season with Houston in 2023.
What happened with Aaron Holiday and the Houston Rockets?
Holiday entered the 2026 offseason as a free agent and chose to sign with Maxima Roma in Italy’s top league rather than return to the NBA. He joined former Clipper Xavier Moon, who also signed with the Italian club earlier this month. Holiday has not ruled out an NBA return, holding an out clause in his contract that could allow him to rejoin a team if requirements are met during the 2026-27 season.
Why it matters for the Houston Rockets
Holiday provided steady veteran presence and locker-room leadership for the Rockets, often called upon during injuries or late-game situations despite starting only five games over three seasons. Ime Udoka trusted him in key moments, valuing his reliability as a ball handler and 3-point shooter. With Reed Sheppard emerging and Smart added to the backcourt, Houston had limited room for Holiday’s role this season.
What comes next for Aaron Holiday and the Rockets?
At 29 years old, Holiday remains an attractive option for NBA teams seeking a dependable guard who can play any role, with several franchises reportedly showing interest this offseason. The Houston Rockets, currently sitting at 2W-0D-3L in their last five games, can be followed for updates on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page as they continue to develop their young core while maintaining veteran depth.
