Rodney Hood is handling Cleveland Cavaliers’ trade rumors well

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in a situation where they are likely sellers, and despite being involved in rumors, Rodney Hood is marching along.

Everybody knows the Cleveland Cavaliers are now rebuilding. They’ve already dealt away veterans mid-season via trades, and it wouldn’t be shocking if Rodney Hood was traded as well before the NBA’s February 7th trade deadline. Even with that being the case, Hood is taking it day-by-day and not letting the rumors get to him, which is a very mature outlook.

Hood was in a similar situation last season on the Utah Jazz, and he admittedly did not handle the trade talk as well, and his play suffered (Hood was traded to the Cavaliers at the trade deadline last year).

Here’s what Hood said in regards to how his outlook has changed with trade rumors, per Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor (this was after the Cleveland Cavaliers’ win last night over the Indiana Pacers).

"“I’ve heard a little bit of what is going on and I’m just invested in what we have going on here,” Hood told cleveland.com Tuesday night. “If I get a call then we will handle it then. But until I get a call I’m not going to worry about what’s going on outside the circle.“I think that’s where I got into a little trouble last year, my last month or so when I was in Utah, just listening to what was going on rather than staying locked in. So just want to lock in and once I get that call we will see what happens.”"

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Hood going through a similar situation with the Jazz last season seems to be helping him get through this awkward time on the Cavs. He’s been pretty solid overall, even though at times his play could be considered passive.

On the year, he’s averaging 13.1 points on an effective field goal percentage of 50.3 percent, which are both right around his career averages, per Basketball Reference. As a 6-foot-8 wing that can be both effective as a catch-and-shoot player and on-ball shot-maker from all three levels, it’s understandable that Hood could be looked at by contending teams.

His $3.4 million qualifying offer contract expires at the end of this season (per Spotrac), which makes him a bargain rental for teams wanting to add scoring and occasional secondary playmaking on the perimeter. Given his qualifying offer, though, he can turn down a deal if the Cleveland Cavaliers intend to trade him. The aforementioned Fedor provided clarification for that.

"“Because of the one-year Bird restriction as a result of signing the qualifying offer in the summer, Hood can veto any trade. The league put that stipulation in place since players would lose their Bird rights if they’re traded.”"

Hood would go on to say he “didn’t know that until actually about like three or four days ago when people started talking about it,” per Fedor.

With that remark from Hood, it seems as though he’s fully invested into helping the Cleveland Cavaliers win games, and that’s impressive, really.

He also would go on to say (per Fedor) that he’s “happy in Cleveland,” and “….for right now, just happy playing ball here, being a Cavalier and helping us win.”

Hood has been a model teammate throughout these rumors, and I would still think despite him being all-in with the Cavs right now, that Cleveland will have intentions to trade him.

A potential Eastern Conference suitor could benefit from Hood’s shooting on the wing, and I would think the Cavs would definitely bite (the rumor was reported last week by Sam Amico of Amico Hoops).

"“The Philadelphia 76ers are said to be among those with an interest in Hood.”"

The Los Angeles Clippers could reportedly be a logical landing spot for Hood as well, per The Athletic’s Joe Vardon (subscription required).

Vardon highlighted how “Hood is 6-foot-8,” and that “his deal expires at year’s end,” thus making him a viable trade target for the Clips.

Vardon then noted how although they “have not explicitly expressed interest in Hood,” Hood’s criteria fits the “Clippers’ needs and financial situation and they’ve been watching the Cavs play in person.”

We’ll see how the Hood situation plays out with the Cavs.

Regardless, with how he’s been handling these trade rumors on a bad team, I believe that shows a whole lot about his character and that he’s matured a great deal. It’ll be interesting to see if Hood does use his no-trade clause and wants to stick around in Cleveland for the coming years.