Utah Jazz alums: Can Rodney Hood still get the big bucks?

Former Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood will test the waters of free agency once again this summer. Will they be treacherous once again or can he still land a high-dollar deal?

A lot can change in year in the NBA — just ask former Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood. Last January, he was in the midst of a career year with the Jazz, putting up nearly 17 points per contest and nailing just under 40 percent of his triples.

Sure, he lost his starting spot to wunderkind Donovan Mitchell, but Hood still looked the part of a two-guard on the rise in the league. And he was well on his way to snagging a big-money contract once he entered free agency after the season.

Fast-forward to now and Hood is set to return to Vivint Smart Home Arena for the first time as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. About that big payday — the former Jazzman struck out last summer after a dismal playoff run that saw him fall completely out of the Cavs rotation.

Interest in the 26-year-old had evaporated and, in the end, he opted to sign the Cavs’ qualifying offer and play out the year. He’ll give free agency another go this summer; whether or not he can still get his deal remains to be seen, but a resurgent season in Cleveland has definitely helped his case.

After hitting the back of the bench last season, Hood is more or less back to being the guy he was over the course of his three and a half years in Utah. In 37 games this season, Hood is averaging 13 points per contest and shooting 45 percent from the floor and 37 percent from distance — numbers that are right on his career marks.

Defense continues to be the downside, but when you’re playing for a Cavs team that’s 9-36 and surrendering 117.2 points per 100 possessions, chances are you aren’t going to look great on that side of the floor.

That said, you’re not signing Hood for defense. His sweet spot on the open market should be as a high-level bench scorer or third/fourth starter for a playoff team. He’s done it before and has looked like he’ll be able to do it again.

The big question may be whether he can get his due in a crowded market. Twos and threes hitting free agency after the season include Klay Thompson, J.J. Redick, Tyreke Evans, Bojan Bogdanovic and Wesley Matthews.

Also — All-world guys like Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler have player options. So, too, does Khris Middleton, who has become a hot commodity. Harrison Barnes should draw major interest as well.

Would you pay Rodney Hood $15 million-plus if you had a shot at any of the aforementioned? Maybe not, but he could potentially be a good Plan B, and those guys tend to get paid. At the least, Hood is doing his part to rehabilitate at least some of his former value.

The Jazz will battle Hood and the Cavs on Friday night. Tip-off is at 7 PM MT.