The Cavaliers will tender a qualifying offer to Rodney Hood this week, ensuring that he’ll become a restricted free agent on July 1, reports Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.
Because Hood narrowly missed meeting the starter criteria this past season, his qualifying offer will be worth $3,472,887. Hood will have the option of accepting that one-year offer or seeking out a new deal with the Cavaliers or a rival suitor once he reaches free agency. As long as the Cavs don’t withdraw their qualifying offer, they’ll have the right of first refusal on Hood, allowing them to match any offer sheet he signs.
Hood, 25, averaged a career-high 14.7 PPG in 60 total games for the Jazz and Cavs in 2017/18. However, his numbers dipped across the board upon his arrival in Cleveland, and he struggled in the playoffs, refusing to enter one game in the fourth quarter and later falling out of the rotation for several contests.
While Hood’s late-season inconsistency likely hurt his earning potential, it may benefit the Cavs, who still view the shooting guard as part of their future, a source tells Vardon. If Cleveland wants to lock up Hood to a longer-term contract, it probably won’t be as expensive as it once looked.
The Pacers and Bulls have interest.
Bulls would be a great fit for him, they need a smal forward pretty bad. Unless they want to rely on Hutchinson or Valentine.
If both management, the player and his teammates have gotten over his refusal to enter the game then the Cavs should try and retain him. However, they should let him walk if the numbers get silly. 4/$50 would be about right.
They’re over it. And by waiving & stretching Smith, they save about what Hood costs, plus, they’re better at 2G, and Lue can’t start Smith anymore! Osman & Hood all year!
I assume they want to rid themselves of Smith but you think they’ll just waive and eat his money? I would rather trade him for a salary dump for someone off the bench.
I guess we’re all waiting on Lebron’s maneuverings.
BTW left out Korver above– officially he’s a 3 but was usually on the court with Lebron late last year.
Smart. No matter what happens in the James deal.
I think Hood could be a keeper, don’t particularly like him at all, but could be a useful player, but have to come real cheap to make it work, maybe 4/25MM, about right.