Examining the Structure of the Browns
January 24, 2019Final 2018 Cleveland Browns Report Card: Offensive Line
January 24, 2019In a season that has been full of lowlights for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the NBA Trade Deadline may just be the most important time of the season for the team who currently holds the league’s worst record at 9-40. Outside of continuing to tank, or I mean, lose games, dealing some of their current players for future assets is vitally important. Will they trade stars Kevin Love and/or Tristan Thompson? Will they deal role players such as Jordan Clarkson, Rodney Hood, Alec Burks, or someone else?
The latest report hints that Hood could be dealt prior to the deadline, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Shooting guard Rodney Hood is garnering interest from several teams, and has a no-trade clause on the one-year, $3.4 million qualifying offer he signed with the Cavaliers before the season. Teams such as New Orleans, Oklahoma City and Milwaukee have looked into wing help. For a Cavaliers team with heavy salaries throughout the roster, Hood has emerged as a targeted piece.
After quite a disappointing second half of the season after he was acquired by the Cavaliers prior to the 2018 trade deadline, Hood has somewhat returned to his normal self this season. Averaging 12.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and two assists while shooting 43.9 percent from the floor and 36.1 percent from long distance in 27.3 minutes per game (40 games, 40 starts), Hood has been one of the Cavs most consistent scorers all season. The shooting guard may not be averaging the most points of his career or shooting his best, but his 55.4 true shooting percentage is the best of his career so far.
Due to his 6-foot-8 frame, Hood has always been considered a very lengthy shooting guard that can be a playmaker on both ends of the floor. Given the fact that the 26-year-old proved that he could be a reliable scorer during his time with the Jazz, especially in 2017-18 before he was traded to Cleveland, and the wing can be a boost to any playoff contender, especially one that is in need of a lengthy scorer on the outside like the Pelicans, Thunder, or Bucks, among others.
Add in that he is getting paid just $3.47 million this season after signing his qualifying offer this past offseason and he is quite cheap as well, which could make him one of the most attractive wings on the market. Hood is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer after signing a one-year deal prior to this season.
He has a no-trade clause, but with the Cavs currently in shambles and likely finishing the season with one of the worst records in the NBA, it’s likely that Hood would waive his no-trade clause in order to join a contender if given the opportunity.
With the NBA Trade Deadline set for 3 p.m. ET on February 7, the rumor mill will certainly heat up and become very busy for the Cavaliers. Now the one question that remains is how many players the wine and gold will deal prior to the deadline.