Utah Jazz: Rodney Hood on the trading block, garnering interest

Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood is having a career year. However, the Jazz are reportedly looking to move him ahead of the trade deadline.

When Gordon Hayward traded in his Utah Jazz blue for Boston Celtics green last summer, two things became immediately clear. A) a return to postseason play would prove challenging for the Jazz this season and B) if they were to pull it off, they’d need Rodney Hood to reach a new level offensively.

Thanks to injuries and uneven efforts, Utah’s playoff hopes may be on life support. However, Hood has definitely established himself as a high-level scorer. He just might not getting be buckets for the Jazz for much longer.

Hood’s name has been featured heavily in trade rumors recently.  And, according to reports, that smoke comes with fire. The Salt Lake Tribune’s Tony Jones wrote on Saturday that the team has been actively working to find a new home for the 25-year-old ahead of the trade deadline.

Says Jones —

"Multiple league sources tell The Tribune that the Jazz have increased efforts to move the shooting guard before the NBA’s Feb. 8 trade deadline, and there is enough interest throughout the league that Hood likely will be with another team for the remainder of the season."

Hood is set to become a restricted free agent in July. While the Jazz would have the right to match any offer sheet he signs, it could come at a pretty penny.

In his fourth year with the team, he’s putting up 16.7 points per game and shooting 38.6 percent from 3-point range. Both marks are career-highs. When he’s hot, he’s one of the harder players to stop in the league. Hood has made four or more 3-pointers in eight games this season and his 30-point half against the Los Angeles Lakers in March of 2016 still stands out as one of the best offensive performances by a Jazzman in recent years.

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That said, there’s also the chance that the Hood-Jazz partnership has run its course. Multiple reports have indicated that there’s been some discontent in the Jazz locker room given the team’s recent struggles. Some are of the belief that Hood is among the frustrated parties.

He lost his spot in the starting five to rookie Donovan Mitchell earlier this season. Moreover, the Jazz have been 6.5 points per 100 possessions better when Hood has been off the floor.

Meanwhile, a vocal contingent of Jazz fans have been frustrated with Hood. During Utah’s 15-point loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday, Hood received a smattering of boos from the crowd at Vivint Smart Home Arena.

Still, several of the league’s GMs seemingly have enthusiasm for his talents and it’s not hard to see why. That, in turn, could lead to a strong market for Hood and some intriguing trade possibilities for the Jazz.