Utah Jazz: Three impending free agents, three big decisions
Rodney Hood
2015-16 stat line: 79 GP, 32.2 MPG, 14.5 PPG, 42 FG%, 35.9 3P%, 3.4 RPG, 2.7 APG
2016-17 stat line: 59 GP, 27 MPG, 12.7 PPG, 40.8 FG%, 37.1 3P%, 3.4 RPG, 1.6 APG
On a recent episode of the Three-Point Threat Podcast, I went into detail on the different circumstances the Jazz are facing regarding Rodney Hood. To make a long story short, it would be extremely nice if the team just had a crystal ball allowing them to see into the future, because without that it’s going to involve a lot of guesswork and risks as they try to figure out the best course of action.
On the negative side of things, the Jazz could try to extend him now and risk him ending up as a bust. Or they could hold out on extending him and he could have an incredible year which would then force the Jazz to pay him an outrageous amount to keep him on the team or risk losing him altogether.
If fortune smiles down on the Jazz, though, they could potentially extend him at a more reasonable rate early in the season, then have him break out this year and keep him on a steal of a deal for years to come. In a recent piece by KSL’s Andy Larsen, he indicated that the Jazz should likely aim to extend Hood at around a four-year, $50 million rate, but that it’s quite likely that his camp will try to get more.
It's hard. I'm shooting for $4/50M. I don't think you get enough of a discount on RFA at 4/$70 to tie up the cap space. 4/$60? I guess... https://t.co/hSA9CWKz6Z
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) September 5, 2017
If Hood ends up demanding more in the ballpark of four years, $70 million, then the Jazz may very well want to pump the breaks on any extension talks until he can prove that he’s worth such a hefty investment. As Andy alluded to, perhaps meeting somewhere in the middle could be feasible, but no matter how you spin it, any extension with Hood won’t be without its risks.
His numbers took a dive last season in conjunction with his health, but he did manage to improve his three-point shooting, which has been his primary weapon. Therefore, there is reason to believe that with health and a little bit of luck on his side, Hood could very well take a leap which would transform him into an extremely high-caliber player that would be worth every penny the Jazz could spare.
However, the opposite could also almost just as likely be the case. And that’s why this is a scary situation for the Jazz. Until Hood has solidified himself one way or the other, determining whether splurging on him is wise or not is truly a flip of a coin.