It’s been a disappointing season for the Utah Jazz. Much of their struggles have been understandable, given that they lost their best two-way player, Gordon Hayward, to the Celtics in the offseason. To exacerbate matters, Rudy Gobert has missed a chunk of time with a leg injury, while their biggest addition is Ricky Rubio who, well, he’s still Ricky Rubio.
Yet, the Jazz have somehow managed to put together a little win streak. They’ve won five straight and seven of their last 10, but they still sit in 10th place in the West and are two-and-a-half games out of the eighth and final playoff spot. Not than an eighth-place finish and a swift postseason exit would do them much good, anyway.
Which is why, ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, they’re busy trying to auction off parts and keep their eye toward the future. ESPN reported last month that the organization might be looking to move swingman Rodney Hood, and new reports indicate that that several teams around the league have thrown their hats into the ring.
Via Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune:
With the NBA’s trade deadline looming Thursday, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons are all showing interest in acquiring Utah Jazz shooting guard Rodney Hood, The Salt Lake Tribune has learned.
League sources say the Denver Nuggets and Orlando Magic have also shown at least a passing interest in Hood, who is set to be a restricted free agent this summer. Hood’s name has been mentioned in trade talks for a few weeks, and the Jazz have been active on the market in an attempt to fortify their roster for the remainder of the season.
Now in his fourth season, Hood is averaging 16.4 points per game and shooting 38.7 percent from downtown, both career bests. Yet he’s never been terribly efficient from anywhere inside the arc and is a minus on defense. Still, interested teams will have to talk themselves into believing Hood still has another level in him, which could very well be the case.
The question is just how much they’ll be willing to give up in return. Hood is making a modest $2.5 million this year but is set to enter restricted free agency next summer. His low cost now and team control for his next deal as an RFA makes him pretty valuable to teams like the Pistons and Thunder who want upgrades on the wing but will be capped out this summer.
The Jazz, who have their mind set on a rebuild, are reportedly looking to land a future asset, which is always a hot commodity. The next few days will reveal whether anyone’s willing to pony up.
