NBA: Ranking all 30 starting shooting guards for 2018-19
25. Rodney Hood, Cleveland Cavaliers
Technically speaking, Rodney Hood is still a restricted free agent who has yet to be re-signed. Due to a lack of cap space around the league though, it’s safe to assume he either plays out the upcoming season on his qualifying offer or comes to an agreement on a new contract.
This would make him the more likely starter over David Nwaba, or trade candidates like J.R Smith or Kyle Korver. In any case, Hood has a lot more to offer a regrouping Cleveland Cavaliers team than the 5.4 points per game on anemic shooting splits he offered during their last playoff run.
Whether the Cavs stick to trying to compete or opt for a youth movement with LeBron James gone, Hood will be able to help. He’s got to prove himself after a disappointing year, but it wasn’t long ago that he was seen as a two-way wing with tons of potential. If Cleveland sees him as more of the guy who posted 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting in Game 3 of the Finals, rather than the guy that refused to come off the bench, he should earn enough minutes to redeem himself.