Cavs trade Rodney Hood to Blazers, release Kobi Simmons

By InsideHoops.com
February 4, 2019
12:05 p.m. ET

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The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired guards Nik Stauskas and Wade Baldwin IV and two future second round draft picks from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for guard Rodney Hood.

The two draft picks that Cleveland is receiving in the deal are Portland’s own 2021 and 2023 second round picks.

In a related move, the Cavaliers have released guard Kobi Simmons from his 10-day contract.

The Blazers are 32-20 this season and trying to get stronger. They're currently the 4th seed in a very tight Western conference.

The Cavs are 11-42, which is the second worst record in the Eastern conference. They're focused on the future. Kevin Love has missed much of the season, but it's unclear if the Cavs should keep or trade him, because at this point they are clearly starting over and need to fully rebuild. The 2019 NBA trade deadline is this Thursday afternoon.

Stauskas has played in 44 Blazers games this season, averaging 6.1 points in 15.3 minutes per game. He has scored in double figures on eight occasions, which includes a career-high tying 24 points (7-11 FG, 5-8 3FG, 5-5 FT) in 27 minutes against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 18.

Baldwin has played in 16 Blazers games this season. He has also played in six G League games this season, with the Texas Legends. In that G League stretch, Baldwin averaged 22.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.3 steals in 32.9 minutes per game.

Hood has played in 66 regular season games (56 starts) for the Cavs since becoming a membe of the team Feb. 8, 2018. In a Cavs jersey he averaged 11.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in 26.8 minutes per outing.

“Rodney is an accomplished NBA player that brings versatility, shot making and depth to our perimeter and will fit seamlessly into our culture and style of play,” said Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey.

Over the course of his NBA career, Hood is averaging 12.8 points (42.0% FG, 36.8% 3-PT, 84.3% FT), 2.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in five seasons with Utah and Cleveland. He will wear No. 5 for the Trail Blazers.