Utah Jazz trade rumors: Denver Nuggets eyeing Rodney Hood?

The Denver Nuggets are the latest team to reportedly have interest in Rodney Hood, who the Utah Jazz previously put on the trade block.

The trade deadline is mere days away and, of course, as luck would have it, the Utah Jazz just so happen to be playing their best basketball of the season. Mere weeks ago it appeared that Utah may be in need of some major shake-ups, but now with the team humming, Jazz brass might feel even more comfortable than they would have otherwise by being a little more conservative on the trade front than many originally supposed they would be.

However, one of the key names on the trade block for the Utah Jazz, Rodney Hood, has just so happened to be sidelined with a leg contusion during Utah’s latest hot streak. In other words, if Utah was planning to move him in the first place, they’ve only solidified that such would be a good idea since the Jazz have played some of their best basketball of the season without Hood in action.

Therefore, since he already appeared to be one of the most likely on the move anyway, Hood has essentially solidified himself as the main player the Jazz should aim to trade at the deadline. The good news is that despite some issues, the young guard out of Duke certainly has some nice value and could bring in a decent return.

Some may wonder why other teams would be pining for him if the Jazz are playing better without him, but remember that sometimes it’s all a matter of fitting in better on a different team in order for a player to blossom and reach their potential. Just ask Trey Lyles.

And speaking of Trey Lyles and decent returns, one of the latest Utah Jazz trade rumors to hit the web, per The Athletic’s Mike Scotto, is that the Denver Nuggets could very well be interested in Rodney Hood. Knowing the track record of Utah Jazz trades with the Denver Nuggets, if I’m Dennis Lindsey I’m jumping all over this one in a heartbeat! As most Jazz fans know, it’s thanks to trades with our divisional neighbors to the east that we managed to nab Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.

The question would be, what would the Nuggets be willing to part with that would truly be of value to the Utah Jazz?

Denver isn’t going to give up any of its rising stars that no doubt figure to be a part of the team’s future core moving forward. I also doubt Utah has any interest whatsoever in Kenneth Faried or Emmanuel Mudiay, both of whom the Nuggets are purportedly looking to move. Scotto mentioned that Malik Beasley is also available, though unless the Jazz were high on his untapped potential, I doubt that he would be enough to truly catch their eye.

The salaries would work, so maybe if the Nuggets included their first-round pick a deal could be had, but I would be surprised if there weren’t better offers out there.

Nevertheless, since Denver and Utah have quite a history of engaging in trades with one another, this is certainly one to keep an eye on. Who’s to say that the Jazz wouldn’t trade Hood for a “lesser” player, only to have their fortune with Denver trades continue and see the newcomer turn into a star himself?

That’s probably a long-shot based on what we know about what the Nuggets may be willing to give up, but as interest in Hood reportedly remains high among several teams around the league, the Jazz should very well be looking to get the best return possible for him.

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With the trade deadline drawing ever nearer, it’s entirely possible that Rodney Hood’s time with the Jazz is about to come to a close.