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Cavaliers: 3 biggest disappointments from the 2018-19 NBA season

By Ryan Piers

CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 20: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is helped up by his teammates during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 20, 2019 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 20: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is helped up by his teammates during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 20, 2019 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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3. Rodney Hood’s underperformance

Rodney Hood’s pedigree and measurables are those of a star player. He was a member of the most prestigious collegiate team, the Duke Blue Devils. He’s a lengthy 6’7″ wing with the ability to shoot threes and defend some of the league’s best talent.

He wasn’t exactly a flop with the Utah Jazz, in the middle of a 16.8-points per game season before being traded to Cleveland last season. After riding the bench behind LeBron, Cavs fans had enough reasons to believe he’d break out this year with a prove-it one-year contract.

He didn’t even finish the year with the team.

Hood averaged 12.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 45 games with the Cavs this season. His 42.7 field goal percentage was a step back. At 26-years-old, Cleveland’s concluded Hood maxed out his abilities as a Cav, shipping him to the Portland Trail Blazers in early February.

It’s a frustrating admission for fans and front office alike; Hood looked like a potential building block for a team desperate for young talent. The positive progression of Cedi Osman eases that disappointment a little. This particular class draft class is loaded with talented wings, which is also positive.

So there is a silver lining. Maybe Cleveland drafts R.J. Barrett, another lefty wing from Duke. Or even better, they get the number one pick and nab Zion Williamson. He can take Hood’s No. 1 jersey. I’m sure Nik Stauskas wouldn’t mind.

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