CLEVELAND – Restricted free agent Rodney Hood has accepted a one-year qualifying deal to stay with the Cavaliers, according to Cleveland.com.
By accepting the offer, the 25-year-old leaves behind a multi-year offer from the team worth an estimated $7-million per season. He was rumored to be after a deal worth $9-million or more.
His struggles in the post-season likely didn’t help raise the stakes in this offer. In the 2018 playoffs, he averaged a dismal 5.4 points-per-game and shot less than 20% beyond the three-point arc. Granted he was never a top-three scoring option in Coach Tyronn Lue’s offense, behind Lebron James, Kevin Love and Kyle Korver.
A 6-8 forward, Hood was acquired in a February trade with Utah where he averaged 16.8 points per game which Cavs fans hope reflect a little more of his production when given the opportunity to be a more focal part of play.
With James gone to the L.A. Lakers, Hood remains a prime candidate to take his place headed into training camp.