Trail Blazers wing Rodney Hood will pass on his $6MM option for the 2020/21 season, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, who reports (via Twitter) that Hood will become a free agent later this week.
Hood’s decision is somewhat surprising, as he spent most of this past season recovering from an Achilles tear that he suffered last December. The expectation was that he’d play it safe coming off that injury, picking up his option and setting himself up for 2021 free agency as he regains his old form over the course of the season.
However, Wojnarowski suggests that Hood – who has had nearly a full year to recover from his Achilles surgery – will be able to play immediately with a new team. It’s not clear if a reunion with the Trail Blazers on a new contract is still in play for the 28-year-old or if he’s committed to seeking a new home.
Before his injury, Hood was playing extremely well as Portland’s starting small forward, averaging 11.0 PPG and 3.4 RPG on .506/.493/.778 shooting in 21 games (29.5 MPG). While that three-point percentage is well above his career average, Hood is a fairly reliable shooter and a solid defender, making him a nice fit on the wing for most teams.
While the Blazers are now at risk of losing Hood, removing his $6MM option salary from their books puts the team in good position to use its full mid-level exception, worth about $9.3MM.
Now Blazers can spend 9.3m to get a 6th man
Trent is 7th man
I think he realized he wouldn’t be a starter because they acquired Covington. He probably wants to start somewhere.
5th seed Jazz
6th Blazers
7th Rockets
8th open
Rockets want to trade Harden for an all star
and Westbrook for 3th pick
Who do you have 1 to 4?
another case of bad advice
Agree 100%. Coming off that injury right? Plus I never really liked his game I thought that teams expected too much from him and he did not deliver… Though his numbers in Portland are outstanding I guess he’s riding on that hoping for a three-year deal? But like you say I think this is a mistake.
Hood is getting vet min because of the injury
I disagree. I think a lottery team could sign him to a multi year deal. Some place like Charlotte or Chicago or New Orleans just as a placeholder type guy.
Hood should sign with bucks…
Bingo yes he should
Not getting more than 6 mill after injury. Probably best to sign one yr deal. And play for new contract next yr. Not more than a rotation guy to me. Still can be valuable as that.
Resign Hood @ 3 years at 8 mil per season.
Trade CJ McCollum for Kevin Love, Darius Garland and a future first.
1. Lillard. Simons. Garland
2. Hood. Trent Jr
3. Covington. Little
4. Love. Collins
5. Nurkic
And with the additional first take another back up forward.
All of a sudden the Blazers are good defensively, have good spacing, are young and on the come up while still being a contender
No thanks on Love or Garland. CJ shouldn’t be moved in any deal that doesn’t get us an elite or near elite wing player like Paul George. Love has way too much money left on his contract and if the Blazers sign Gallinari with the MLE there’s no need for Love anyway.
Cavs dont want another SG next to Sexton. Take Love off our hands, thats fine. Hell, take him and his salary for a second rounder. But we arent giving up a future first rounder and our 5th overall pick from last year for a 29 y/o while we are in rebuild mode. He is a star player, but not franchise changing player. Also Garland’s potential is yet to be seen, he could still be good/great we have to wait and see
Sexton = SG. People forget that
He’s so hood