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Portland Trail Blazers: Grading every free agency move so far

By Austin Carroll

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 27: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat greets Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers at American Airlines Arena on October 27, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 27: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat greets Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers at American Airlines Arena on October 27, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers – Rodney Hood (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
Portland Trail Blazers – Rodney Hood (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Re-signing Rodney Hood to the MLE

Considering this current market for guards, the Portland Trail Blazers re-signing Rodney Hood for the Room MLE might be one of the biggest steals of the summer.

Consider this, here are some of the contracts dolled out to lesser or similarly skilled guards in this year’s free agency so far:

  • Terry Rozier: 3 years, $58 million
  • Terrence Ross: 4 years, $54 million
  • Cory Joseph: 3 years, $37 million
  • Tomas Satoransky: 3 years, $30 million
  • George Hill: 3 years, $29 million
  • Reggie Bullock: 2 years, $21 million

Simply put, this was the year for guards to get paid. However, Hood chose to forego all this money being dolled out around him and instead opted to return to a familiar environment in Portland where he apparently believes he can make the most of his opportunities.

Hood accepted a one-year deal on the $5.7 million mini-MLE that offered the Blazers the opportunity to make a big splash in the trade market later the next day. This decision is a testament to the incredible culture that has been built internally in the Portland Trail Blazers organization.

Ideally, Hood’s play picks up with a whole year next to a team he has developed significant chemistry with. Portland can follow up next year by rewarding Hood a long-term contract and financial security for the individual sacrifices he made to help the team compete.

Considering Hood is still only 26-years-old, he has his prime still well ahead of him. If all goes according to plan, he’ll spend it wearing a Portland Trail Blazers uniform.

Grade: A+