NBA Trade Rumors: The Utah Jazz are reportedly actively trying to trade Rodney Hood, weeks ahead of the NBA trade deadline
When the Utah Jazz selected Donovan Mitchell with the 13th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, I’m sure they believed he’d be good. Or, at the very least, had a pretty high ceiling.
Although, despite their belief in the pick, I don’t think they could’ve envisioned Mitchell being as good as he’s been this fast. Mitchell is averaging 19 points, four assists and three rebounds on 45 percent shooting from the field and 34 percent shooting from 3-point range.
He’s a player, and going to be a very good one soon.
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But the arrival of Mitchell, coupled with Utah’s difficult salary cap situation, makes a player like Rodney Hood somewhat expendable. Especially considering that Hood could become a restricted free agent after the season.
Utah can’t afford to pay everyone, and by hitting on Mitchell the Jazz could sell some of their duplicate talents in order to secure future assets. And that’s what Utah is reportedly doing.
According to The Salt Lake Tribune, the Jazz are actively trying to move Rodney Hood.
"[via SLT]Multiple league sources tell The Tribune that the Jazz have increased efforts to move the shooting guard before the NBA’s Feb. 8 trade deadline, and there is enough interest throughout the league that Hood likely will be with another team for the remainder of the season."
Hood is averaging a career high 17 points per game this season.
The Jazz are reportedly also likely to move Derrick Favors at the trade deadline, as they likely won’t elect to re-sign the big man after the season. Utah should be able to get a nice haul for both players, if they can find the right trade partners.
Utah is an interesting team to follow over the new few weeks. They will be active and could be the ideal trade partner for a team like the Cleveland Cavaliers, that is trying to add anything at this point in the season.
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It will ultimately come down to a reasonable return, but the Jazz should have a few deals done before the deadline.