Golden State Warriors Rumors: Rodney Hood could be buyout/trade target

If the latest Golden State Warriors rumors are to be believed, the team could be looking for ways to bring aboard Rodney Hood in the not-too-distant future.

It’s unclear what the immediate future may hold, but the latest Golden State Warriors rumors suggest they’ve turned their attention to Cleveland Cavaliers wing Rodney Hood. Whether that’s as a trade target or buyout option is still to be decided, but that’s what the rumor mill is churning out right now.

That comes from Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, who suggests the Warriors are “keeping an eye” on Hood ahead of the 2019 NBA trade deadline.

"Golden State Warriors are keeping an eye on Hood as well, according to sources. But that may be more in case Hood becomes a buyout candidate."

The Warriors, however, aren’t the only ones mentioned as potential suitors for Hood ahead of Thursday’s deadline. According to Fedor, other teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers and San Antonio Spurs have also shown interest in the sharpshooting wing.

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The obvious problem here is a lack of trade assets on the Warriors’ part. Most of the players on their roster are either stars who are worth far more than Hood, expensive contracts the Cleveland Cavaliers don’t want or unproven talent who carry minimal value. Plus, it’s not like the Warriors’ first-round picks are all that enticing.

That’s why Hood makes far more sense as a buyout target. That way, Golden State doesn’t have to give up any assets to acquire him.

There is one thing playing in the Warriors’ favor, though. Signed to a qualifying, one-year $3.4 million offer this past offseason, Hood has the ability to veto any trade the Cavaliers try to pull off. If he’s not satisfied with other potential landing spots and sees Golden State as his best possible fit, he could try to play his cards into a buyout.

The fact that he’s only under contract through 2019 could also make trade partners wary of pulling the trigger.

With that said, anything is possible. Teams around the league are looking for players who can shoot, especially from long range. Although he hasn’t been quite as effective since leaving the Utah Jazz, we’ve seen evidence of his 3-point prowess in the past. Surrounded by other deadly deep shooters like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Hood could theoretically thrive in the Bay Area.

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For the time being, we’ll assume that Hood is out of reach. And yet, if no one manages to conjure up a trade by Feb. 7, don’t be surprised if he becomes a legitimate buyout target for the Warriors. Remember, this is the NBA — anything is possible.

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