Talks between free agent shooting guard Rodney Hood and the Cleveland Cavaliers have stalled after both parties disagreed in the length and compensation, according to Jordan Schultz of Yahoo Sports.
Hood is looking for a short-term deal and has not gotten what he feels is an acceptable offer from the Cavs front office, who is coming off extending Kevin Love for four years and a whopping $120 million.
Hood is perhaps the lone salvageable piece from the myriad of trades made last season, having already lost Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, and free agent Dwyane Wade.
Others like Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. have yet to show enough promise to warrant a serious extension, which makes the 25-year-old lefty the only piece worth keeping long-term after a disastrous chain of events that wound up with LeBron James’ departure.
The Cavs will need someone at the shooting guard position after J.R. Smith’s contract expires next season, and Hood fits the mold — but the offer will have to come at the right length and price if both sides are to agree to a deal.
Hood was marred with a bad teammate reputation after refusing to step on the floor during the playoffs, but his appearance in the NBA Finals showed that there is some promise to his game, despite it being too little, too late to avoid the ensuing sweep.
The Cavs will have plenty of time to work with, if they choose to re-engage talks with Hood, with most of the free agent market being relatively dry at this point of the summer.
