Thunderous Intentions
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2018 NBA Free Agency: Rodney Hood could be a chance worth taking for OKC Thunder

By Rylan Stiles

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 4: Rodney Hood #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball during practice as his team prepares for Game Three of the NBA Eastern Conference Semi-finals against the Toronto Raptors on May 5, 2018 at the 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 4: Rodney Hood #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball during practice as his team prepares for Game Three of the NBA Eastern Conference Semi-finals against the Toronto Raptors on May 5, 2018 at the 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images /
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Rodney Hood became a laughing stock during the NBA Finals. Was it warranted and more importantly how will his NBA Free Agency be affected?

The Oklahoma City Thunder are battling the luxury tax, and for the time being it is a historic penalty for any organization. Entering NBA Free Agency Rodney Hood is in the restricted category, therefore the OKC Thunder would need him to accept a Mid-level exception, and the Cavaliers not to match.

Rodney Hood would provide some great bench minutes for the Thunder. His potential has always been there, and he has always flashed it. Last season before being traded to Cleveland he averaged 16-points per game for Utah.

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At 6’8 he can log minutes at small forward and be a solid back up for Paul George. That is a huge asset for the OKC Thunder.

Specifics

  •  Height: 6’8
  • Position: Wing
  • Age: 25
  • Experience: Four
  • Hometown: Mississippi

Skills

Rodney Hood shot the 3-ball at a 38-percent clip last season, for his career he is a 36-percent shooter from deep. Rodney Hood can stroke it from 3-point land even while contested. Hood also displays an ability to create for himself, something the second unit could desperately use.

He can also play from the mid-range extremely well, and even drive to the basket with touch and finishing abilities. Defensively no one will confuse Hood for a lockdown defender. However, he does have a nice ability to jump the passing lanes.

Contested threes

Creating for himself

Finishing at the rim

Mid-Range game

Money talks

Rodney Hood on the court makes a ton of sense. However, the cents are the problem.

As a restricted free agent, the Cavs have the right to match any offer Hood gets. Will they as a tanking team since LeBron James left? That is yet to be seen. The other question is, can Hood himself get a better offer than the mid-level?

Next: The LeBron effect: Perfect time for OKC to shop Melo to LA

Most importantly, this addition would fill out the OKC Thunder roster leaving them with no true holes.

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