Houston Rockets: Why the team should pursue a trade for Rodney Hood

The Houston Rockets skated their way into a triumphant 116-108 statement over the Golden State Warriors last night. With that in mind, there’s always ways that this team can improve more to get to that ultimate goal of winning a championship. Rodney Hood, who is rumored to be available for trade, could be that guy to help.

The Houston Rockets have gone all out this season to ensure they have the absolute best roster possible to compete with the Golden State Warriors, currently the league’s darlings. With such a long period of dominance, it’s time that a new team topples over the dynasty that has been created up in the Bay Area.

I honestly feel that’s what keeps Daryl Morey up at night, wondering what the heck he can do to beat that damn team. He’s even has so much as gone on the record indicating that’s alpha-portion of his plan to build the Houston Rockets into a contender.

In his 10th season as general manager, I’ve never seen a guy that thinks outside-of-the-box like he does and is always looking for ways to make this team better. He’s not complacent and the one time he did bring the band back together we got the results of a ill-fated, mediocre, under-performing 41-41 season back in 2015-16.

He knows for sure that he can’t let that happen again. This season, he conducted an eight-player swap to land dynamite floor general Chris Paul in exchange for guys like Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell and Sam Dekker.

CP3 has been a boon for this team since he’s arrived and I think he’ll certainly be a guy that will be on the roster when the Houston Rockets finally win a championship.

The Case for Hood

But you know what? The trade deadline is Feb. 8th and you know Morey has itchy trigger fingers. He usually does make a move with last season’s being the acquisition of Williams being the latest. But who should he target?

I think he should take a strong look at the Utah Jazz’s Rodney Hood. Life has been tough for Hood up in Salt Lake as he was expected to be the centerpiece of the team’s production with the departure of Gordon Heyward. But with the emergence of rookie Donovan Mitchell — a strong Rookie of the Year candidate by the way — his task seems if it’s a daunting one to carry the load.

The guard is currently averaging 16.7 points per game, a far cry from Heyward’s 21.9 that he averaged in 2016-17. But in the Houston Rockets’ system, he doesn’t have to dominate, he just needs to do his part in helping the offense remain robust with quick and productive possessions.

Hood is also shooting 38.6 percent from behind-the-arc and nails on average of about 2.7 threes per game. He’s a liability on defense though but I don’t think it should overshadow all of the tangibles he has to help this team.

Hood is currently on the shelf with a lower leg contusion but hopefully should be back soon. He hasn’t partook in a full season of play since 2015-16 where he appeared and started in 79 games. Last season, he only appeared in 59 games — started 53 of those — where he missed significant time with a knee injury.

How much should the Rockets pay for Hood?

Hood is still currently on his rookie deal playing off the extensions of that contract. He will earn $2.4 million this season and has a $3.5 million fifth-year club option as well. Hood is also a restricted free agent next season as well.

This contract is appealing to the Houston Rockets for two things of which the first is that it’s relatively cheap and the second is that it’s expiring after the season. This also ensures that the team has the upper-hand in controlling the situation if they do want to keep with that additional option attached.

Because of this, I think the Rockets could get by with dealing Chinanu Onuaku — $1.3 million per season through 2019-20 — and a second-rounder in 2020. Hell, they can even throw in Troy Williams — $1.47 million for the next three seasons, likely portions non-guaranteed — to make it work. The Rockets do own their 2019 first-rounder but I don’t think Hood is worth a 1st-rounder

More from House of Houston

when you’re coupling with some of our active players.

Williams could help the Jazz immediately but I’m sure they’d still see Onuaku as more of a project but enticing because of his 6’10,” 245-pound frame.

The question would be if the Jazz would take a pick that’s so far in the future? With the amount of packages I’m sure they’re listening to from other teams, it’s difficult with the Rockets’ cap situation to offer any more.

They’ve already spent $116 million on payroll this season which is $15 million over the cap and just $3 million shy of the luxury tax threshold. He’d still fit comfortably under the luxury tax line but the Rockets brass will have to determine if he’d be worth it.

Based off of his salary for this season, the prorated portion that he’d be owed would be only $810,596 if the deal were made today and as each game goes by before the deadline, that amount will decrease. That’s a hell of a deal considering the production if you ask me.

We’ll have to see if it happens but I’m hoping for the best.

Next: An early look at the Rockets' potential playoff path

Hood, 25, is averaging 16.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 41.3 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from three in 36 games — 12 starts — this season.

Go Rockets.

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