Rodney Hood is an obvious name that should be traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and according to a recent report, there should be plenty of trade options surrounding the veteran guard.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be active at the upcoming February 7 NBA trade deadline; there’s really no reason for them to not be. They have been one of the worst teams in the NBA all season, and they have some players that should be easy to trade in exchange for developmental players or players on unfavorable contracts (as has been reported) and likely a future draft pick. A player that reportedly has plenty of interest on the trade market is Rodney Hood.
He is on a one-year qualifying offer worth just over $3.47 million, per Spotrac. That deal seems to be very attractive for contending teams, knowing that Hood can provide a good overall scoring toolbox, evidenced by his 12.2 points per game on 54.2 percent true shooting, per Basketball Reference, this season. Sources reportedly told Cleveland.com that the Cavs “have received multiple offers for Rodney Hood,” per beat writer Chris Fedor (h/t Bleacher Report’s Mike Chiari).
Fedor mentioned the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Oklahoma City Thunder as being potential trade partners, and highlighted how the San Antonio Spurs “have two first-rounders and sources said they’ve shown interest.”
Along with those teams, Fedor said that the San Antonio Spurs have “two first-rounders and sources said they’ve shown interest.”
In addition, Fedor said the Golden State Warriors are “keeping an eye on Hood as well, according to sources.”
Granted, he did then suggest that Golden State is more of a player for Hood if he becomes a “buyout candidate.”
It makes sense that teams that will be in the postseason would want Hood; he’s a player that can score in a variety of ways as a 6-foot-8 perimeter threat. He is inconsistent, but the ability for Hood has always been there, dating back to his time with the Utah Jazz, as the aforementioned Chiari detailed.
Fedor did note, too, though, that given Hood’s one-year qualifying offer, his deal does carry a “one-year Bird restriction, which allows him to veto any trade.”
With that being the case, Hood is reportedly going to be selective (per Fedor).
Given how he had a rough experience last year after being traded to Cleveland at the 2018 deadline, he “will only be willing to waive his no-trade clause for a chance to play for a contending team that also offers a clearly-defined role.”
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It’s unclear if Hood will be able to have a clearly-defined role on teams such as the Clippers, Spurs, or 76ers, but his skill set does warrant minutes on any NBA team, really. It’s not rock science as to why teams are interested in Hood; he can score from all three levels, and has good size on the perimeter, making him a difficult guard.
Granted, it’s unclear as to where Hood will be willing to go, but I applaud him for his willingness to stay positive amid trade rumors again, which is tough from a personal standpoint.
Here’s what he said, per Fedor.
"“It’s always good to feel wanted,” Hood said Saturday. “Even in free agency last year it was the same thing even though I wound up signing the qualifying (offer). It’s good to know people appreciate you. Being a part of a trade doesn’t always mean you’re not a good player. It means they want to do something different for their organization.“As long as you have a job, I’m providing for my family, I’m blessed and you move forward. There’s no malice towards anything. It’s basketball. I’m healthy. I’m playing the game I love so you move forward with it. I don’t keep harping on it because you will go crazy and it will affect your mind and it messes up your play so stay sharp and have fun with it at the end of the day.”"
Hopefully the Cleveland Cavaliers can get a decent return for Hood, and for his sake, hopefully he can find a good fit for him from a playing and personal standpoint.