Utah Jazz: Grading the big Rodney Hood-Jae Crowder trade
By Ryan Aston
Cleveland Cavaliers receive Rodney Hood, George Hill
Cavs also acquire rights to 2015 second-round pick Arturas Gudaitis from Sacramento.
The Cavs dominated the transaction ticker on deadline day, overturning half their roster to acquire Rodney Hood, George Hill, Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance. For Jazz fans, the headliners here are Hood and Hill.
Hood was in the middle of a career season with the Jazz before he was dealt, averaging just under 17 points per game and hitting nearly 40 percent of his 3-point shots. Nevertheless, he wanted a change of scenery and, really, ends up in a prime spot as a result of the trade.
With Dwyane Wade gone and Kevin Love injured, I expect Hood to play a significant role offensively in Cleveland for the remainder of the season. In doing so, he’ll have a shot to vie for an NBA Finals appearance this season.
To that end, Hill fits in nicely with the Cavaliers as well.
After this year, the Cavs can keep Hood in-house (he’ll be a restricted free agent this summer) as a B-player to LeBron James. Or, if the King elects to bolt, Hood will be a key cog for a talented young squad on a rebuild. I’d say either is a win for the former Jazzman.
Hill may or may not be in Cleveland’s long-term plans. His $19 million price tag for next season is hefty, but he’ll be only partially guaranteed in 2019-20. So the Cavs do retain at least some flexibility in that respect.
For his part, Hill got exactly what he wanted — out of Sacramento and onto the roster of a contender who will depend heavily on his talents for the playoff push. Meanwhile, he’ll make the big bucks for at least another year beyond ’17-18.
It remains to be seen how these moves affect LeBron’s long-term prospects with the franchise. I don’t know whether or not they make the Cavs more championship viable this season, but a shake-up was probably necessary either way. And the players they acquired (sans Hill) all have room to grow into real difference-makers.
Grade for Hood: B+
Grade for Hill: A
Grade for the Cavs: B+
Next: Jazz get Jae Crowder, Derrick Rose