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After a strong finish to the 2014-15 season, the Utah Jazz were projected as a potential playoff team in the Western Conference. Then their season took a drastic turn when starting point guard Dante Exum tore his ACL, ending his season before it began. Expectations were lowered, but Utah needed others to step up. One of those players was fellow youngster, second-year shooting guard Rodney Hood, and he’s been there in a big way.
Hood’s impressive first half has made him a hot commodity on the trade market, because what team wouldn’t want a 23-year-old who has proven he can score? The Jazz should be one of those teams. They have seen his value up close, and the potential he has shown on offense.
Hood is third on the team in scoring (14.9 PPG) and second in assists (2.6 APG). He is averaging 3.3 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 2.0 three-point field goals made per game. On a per-36 minute basis, Hood’s numbers jump to 17.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.3 three-point field goals made.
According to ESPN’s real plus-minus, Hood is one of the league’s most important shooting guards in terms of on-court impact. He’s seventh among all shooting guards in offensive RPM — making up for his subpar defensive RPM — and 12th in total RPM.
According to NBA Stats, Utah has an offensive rating of 105.8 in the 1,551 minutes that Hood has been on the court — the second best mark on the team behind Rudy Gobert — which dips to a team worst 99.2 in the 937 minutes he’s been off the court. With numbers like these, it can be argued that Hood is the second most important player on the team.
Hood’s play could give Utah the ability to make him the centerpiece of a deal for a star player, but it would be wise to hold onto its former first-round pick in hopes of even bigger things in the future.
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