Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 goals for the 2018 offseason

3. Sign Rodney Hood to a bargain contract

After his sophomore season, Rodney Hood was viewed as a blue-chip young player and a building block for the Utah Jazz. With the frame and athleticism to be an above-average defender, and plenty of offensive chops, many around the league expected him to be a strong starter for the Jazz for years to come.

Then Hood struggled with injuries throughout the 2016-17 NBA season, appearing in just 59 games. His defensive upside never materialized, his playmaking flatlined and overall Hood’s status as a coveted young player began to erode. By the midway point of the 2017-18 season it became clear to the Jazz that Hood was not a long-term piece for them anymore — partially due to the explosion of Donovan Mitchell, partially due to Hood’s inconsistency — and moved him to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Hood was mediocre on the Cavaliers and found himself completely out of the playoff rotation. Yet in the NBA Finals when called upon, Hood stepped up and provided positive minutes. After providing nine points in eight games leading into Game 3 of the Finals, Hood dropped 15 points on 7-for-11 shooting, pulling in six rebounds and playing reasonable defense. In Game 4, a game the Cavaliers lost by 23, Hood played 26 minutes and was a -1 on the night, chipping in eight rebounds and two steals.

His performance in the Finals is a look into the player than Hood could still become — a versatile wing with the size to crash the glass and the athleticism to be a solid team defender. Offensively he can be a secondary creator, attacking close-outs and creating shots. For much of the past two seasons he has not been that player, but the possibility still exists.

Hood’s value has never been lower, and the Cavaliers should take advantage of that. In negotiating a long-term deal with Hood, the organization has the leverage to bring him back at a low annual value. That provides a low-risk, high-reward cone of outcomes for the deal.

If Rodney Hood can become the player everyone thought he was, then the Cavaliers will have a steal of a contract on their books. If he doesn’t, he is still a 6’8″ wing who can play a rotational role with the Cavaliers. By keeping him around they give themselves the opportunity to improve organically, something the team desperately needs.