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Like it or not, Rodney Hood’s only option is the Cleveland Cavaliers

By Nathan Beighle

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 6: Rodney Hood #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 6, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 6: Rodney Hood #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 6, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Rodney Hood has no choice left. He either plays for the qualifying offer for the Cleveland Cavaliers or watches them match any offer he accepts.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have expressed interested in signing the 6-foot-7 guard a few times this offseason, yet nothing has come to fruition. Because of the time wasted, the competition to sign Hood has significantly decreased.

The only team that seemed to have a chance to sign the former Duke Blue Devil was the Sacramento Kings, and even they have been quiet over the last few weeks. Given his value, it’s unlikely Sacramento would take another regretful path into a long-term contract like they did last season with George Hill.

Hood is just 25, and since he showcased his dynamic scoring ability last season, predominately with the Jazz, he’s now the top free agent left. However, the Cavs have the cap space to match almost any offer even after Love’s massive extension.

If Rodney Hood doesn’t accept another offer, he’ll be playing under the $3.4 million qualifying offer given to him by the Cavaliers under a contract he originally signed with Utah. That offer is significantly less than he’d receive if he was offered a contract or re-signed with Cleveland.

The only question is, does Rodney Hood even want to play in Cleveland? If he doesn’t, then this qualifying offer would turn him into an unrestricted free agent in 2019, an ideal turnout for both sides.

The reason it’s ideal for Hood not to sign long-term is because the Cavs are still uncertain if he can thrive in Cleveland. Hood has flashes of excellence during his short stint last season, but he also displayed immaturity on multiple occasions.

Hood went from averaging 16.8 points to 10.8 points per game after being traded mid-season to Cleveland. Additionally, about every per game stat took a downward spiral for Hood except surprisingly personal fouls per game.

So, yes, the Cleveland Cavaliers saw a successful player in Hood. But, in front of their own eyes, he wasn’t the player he was projected to be on paper, which could be reason No. 1 why Hood isn’t signed yet.

It was reported that Hood wanted a three-year contract, and Hood, knowing his value and knowing the market, probably commanded a bit more money than the Cavs, who just signed Love to a four-year, $120 million extension, might have been comfortable giving him.

While technically still on the market, expect Hood to be in the Wine & Gold next season. Hood, who will be in the contract year, will be playing for his next contract which could be that large three-year deal he was working on in Cleveland.

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Like him or not, Hood will be a Cavalier next season unless something crazy goes down.