Restricted free agent Rodney Hood is still trying to get the Cavaliers to increase their current offer, which is about $7MM annually over three years, according to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. If they can’t come to an agreement, Hood could opt to accept the team’s $3.4MM qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Cleveland has 13 players under contract after David Nwaba‘s signing became official yesterday. The 14th spot is being held open for Hood, and the final opening will be determined by what happens in training camp. The Cavs went with a 14-man roster for much of last season because of luxury tax concerns.
Hood, 25, came to Cleveland in February in a deadline deal with the Jazz. He struggled to find a role during 21 regular season games, then cratered in the playoffs, averaging 5.4 points per night while shooting 42% from the field and 17% from 3-point range. Still, the Cavaliers like his potential and believe he can help replace some of the scoring that was lost when LeBron James left for the Lakers.
Hood saw a lot of leverage disappear this summer as teams used up their cap space. The only team that still has its full $8.641MM mid-level exceptions available, aside from Cleveland, is Utah, which reportedly isn’t interested in bringing back Hood.
Utah just got rid of him, why would they ever want him back? I think a 21MM/3 for Hood is a very generous offer from Cleveland, if he doesn’t take it he may well regret it come next years FA.
Dude, hes worth much more than $7mil per year. The kid is only 25. This is his prime. He will be 28 if he accepted Cleveland’s offer. At 28 most organizations will be reluctant to offer a long term contract to someone entering their 30’s. Check out this salary list and see where falls on the charts…
link to basketball-reference.com
3/21 fine, 3/27 risky.