Tag: rodney hood

Toronto Raptors waive Rodney Hood, DeAndre’ Bembry and Paul Watson

The Toronto Raptors announced Tuesday that they have waived guard DeAndre’ Bembry, forward Rodney Hood and forward Paul Watson.

Bembry appeared in 51 games for the Raptors during the 2020-21 campaign, averaging 5.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 19.1 minutes. He originally signed as a free agent Nov. 29, 2020.

Hood averaged 3.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 12.7 minutes during 17 games for Toronto in 2020-21. He was acquired Mar. 25, 2021 along with Gary Trent Jr. from Portland in exchange for Norman Powell.

Watson averaged 4.1 points and 1.7 rebounds in 25 games for Toronto over the past two seasons. He joined the Raptors on two-way contract in Jan. 15, 2020 and signed a full NBA contract Dec. 19, 2021.

Raptors trade Norman Powell to Trail Blazers for Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired guard Norman Powell in a trade with the Toronto Raptors for guard Gary Trent Jr. and guard/forward Rodney Hood.

“Norman accomplished so much with the Raptors. He committed to the process, he worked on his game, he grew as a person, and he thrived as a player,” Raptors President Masai Ujiri said. “Norman gave us great performances to remember. Norman is an NBA Champion, and he has earned his place as one of the great success stories in franchise history. We are grateful for everything he did for our team and our city.”

Powell, 27, is averaging a career-high 19.6 points (49.8% FG, 43.9% 3-PT, 86.5% FT) to go with 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.12 steals and 30.4 minutes through 42 games (31 starts) with Toronto this season. He ranks 10th in the NBA in three-point percentage and 13th in three-pointers made (118).

In his sixth NBA season, Powell (6-3, 215) holds career averages of 9.9 points (46.6% FG, 37.9% 3-PT, 83.0% FT), 2.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 20.2 minutes in 349 games (120 starts), all with the Raptors. The 2019 NBA Champion was originally selected out of UCLA by Milwaukee with the 46th pick of the 2015 NBA Draft before being acquired by Toronto in a draft night trade.

“Gary and Rodney have been valuable members of our organization the past three seasons and we appreciate their numerous contributions on the floor and in the Portland community,” said Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey. “We wish them continued success and happiness in Toronto.”

Trent Jr., 6-foot-5, 209 pounds, is averaging career highs of 15.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 30.8 minutes in 41 games (23 starts) this season. He is shooting .414 (217-524) from the field and .397 (121-305) from three-point range. Trent Jr. has scored in double figures in 31 games, including 20 or more nine times, and scored a season-high 28 points Dec. 28 against the LA Lakers.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Trent Jr. owns career averages of 10.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 23.1 minutes in 117 career games (32 starts) with the Blazers. He played one season at Duke (2017-18) prior to being picked 37th overall by Sacramento in the 2018 NBA Draft and traded to Portland on draft night. His father, Gary Trent Sr., appeared in 13 games with the Raptors during the 1997-98 season.

Hood, 6-foot-8, 208 pounds, is averaging 4.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 19.1 minutes in 38 contests (five starts) this season. He has scored in double digits three times, including a season-best 21 points Jan. 18 vs. San Antonio.

A native of Meridian, Mississippi, Hood was picked 23rd overall by Utah in the 2014 NBA Draft. He is averaging 11.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 26.5 minutes in 379 career games (253 starts) with Utah, Cleveland and Portland. Hood played collegiately at Mississippi State (2011-12) and Duke (2013-14).

Powell will wear No. 24 for the Trail Blazers.

Trail Blazers re-sign Rodney Hood

The Portland Trail Blazers have re-signed guard/forward Rodney Hood.

Per multiple reports, it’s a two-year, partially-guaranteed deal for $21 million.

“Rodney played a critical role in our run to the Western Conference Finals in 2018-19 and was off to a great start last year prior to his season being cut short due to injury,” said Olshey. “Now fully healthy we expect him to make an immediate impact and are pleased he chose to stay in Portland.”

Per the Oregonian, “Hood earlier this week reportedly declined the $6 million option on the final year of his contract. Given that he is coming off of an Achilles injury that ended his season last December, many speculated that Hood had an agreement in place with Portland to return on a more lucrative deal.”

Hood, 28, averaged 11.0 points (50.6% FG, 49.3% 3-PT, 77.8% FT), 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 29.5 minutes in 21 games (all starts) for the Trail Blazers last season before suffering a torn left Achilles tendon on Dec. 6, 2019. At the time of his injury, Hood ranked third in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage and was shooting career-best marks from the field and from the three-point line.

Originally acquired by the Trail Blazers in a trade with Cleveland on Feb. 4, 2019, Hood was a key figure in Portland’s run to the 2019 Western Conference Finals. He was Portland’s third-leading scorer against Denver in the Western Conference Semifinals, averaging 14.7 points per game while shooting 57.6% from the field and 50.0% from the three-point line during the seven-game series.

In six NBA seasons with Utah, Cleveland and Portland, Hood holds career averages of 12.5 points (42.6% FG, 37.2% 3-PT, 83.9%FT), 2.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 27.3 minutes.

Hood was originally selected by Utah with the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft out of Duke.

Rodney Hood returns from injury

Here’s the Salt Lake Tribune with an update on Rodney Hood, who averaged 14.5 points per game last season and remains a key member of the Utah Jazz:

Rodney Hood returns from injury

Shots were short all night for the Utah Jazz’s starting shooting guard. His explosion to the rim off the dribble wasn’t there, and there were times he was frustrated by the shots he was missing.

All the same, it was a return, and Hood was glad to get out onto the floor. In what was an 88-84 preseason loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night, Hood was happy to work out the kinks in a game that didn’t count. Now, he can move on to the real thing.

“I’ll be ready for the regular season,” Hood said. “I hadn’t been practicing or anything, so it was good to get out there and be able to take contact.”

That’s why the shooting struggles, and the overall rustiness mattered little to Hood. His return to health from the sprained left hand was more important.

Rodney Hood got picture and autograph from Kobe Bryant after game

The following, as reported by the Salt Lake Tribune, is a completely understandable move on the part of young Rodney Hood:

Rodney Hood got his shoes signed by Kobe Bryant

Rodney Hood got everything he wanted in the first half of Monday night’s win over the Lakers. He got exactly what he wanted after the game was over, too.

The Utah Jazz sharpshooter, who dropped 30 points on 11-of-13 shooting in a blowout win, made sure to track down his childhood idol, Kobe Bryant, and secure a precious memento after one of Hood’s best games as a pro.

“I wanted a picture with him,” Hood said. “My whole family is Kobe fans, so I wanted them to get a picture. Just wanted to see him. I know (the Jazz’s last meeting with Lakers laters this month in Los Angeles) is going to be hectic; we probably won’t see him after the game or get a chance to speak to him. So I waited. He just congratulated me on a good game. He signed my shoes. It was a great moment for me.”