Rodney Hood, Portland Trail Blazers (photo by Frenchieinportland, via Wikimedia)
Going into the offseason, the Portland Trail Blazers were in the unique position of having arguably three-fifths of its starting lineup set in stone. The other two spots were on opposite ends of the age spectrum. They had, past his prime 3-and-D, veteran Trevor Ariza and injury-plagued but promising young power forward, Zach Collins.
The two forwards helped Portland strengthen some deficient positions. Ironically, the duo never played together due to injuries and circumstances. Both players were entering the 2020–21 season in the final years of their respective contracts. Decisions had to be made.
Ariza didn’t factor into the Portland Trail Blazers’ long-term plan and was traded for essentially a younger version of himself, 29-year old Robert Covington. That was a huge win right off the bat for the Blazers.
Next came the three-way trade that sent Mario Hezonja to Memphis and Portland’s trade exception to Boston, bringing center Enes Kanter back to town. The Turkish import replaced Hassan Whiteside as Jusuf Nurkic‘s backup at center. It was a great move by Portland Trail Blazers General Manager Neil Olshey to set up for pending free agency.
Rodney Hood re-signed for two-years, $21M. Next up, Portland used their full mid-level extension on Derrick Jones Jr., signing him for two years at a cost of $19M. A few days later, Olshey wrapped up league minimum contracts for Carmelo Anthony and Harry Giles III. It was a highly successful offseason.
Here is where I think it gets interesting. Portland added players to help keep some stability while Zach Collins and Rodney Hood nurse themselves back to 100 percent health. When the Blazers get to full strength, there will be plenty of questions that need to be answered. Hood is the lynchpin.
The guard rotation already barely has minutes for Simons right now. What happens when Hood is healthy? Does he bump Gary Trent Jr.? Not if Trent plays anywhere close to the way he did in the bubble.
If playing guard isn’t an option for Hood, does he get major minutes at small forward? Well, if Collins comes back as the starting power forward, it will be hard for Hood to get time at the three. At that point, small forward becomes Covington’s job with Anthony and Derrick Jones Jr. behind him.
It’s hard to see Collins coming off the Portland Trail Blazers bench for a prolonged period. If he plays backup center, what happens to Kantner? Neither Collins nor Kanter are third-string talents, so that’s off the table.
For a team with so many injury problems last season, these are good problems to have. I agree with that, but I also have a different thought process on this as well.
One could assume because Portland was unable to move Hassan Whitesides’s big contract at last season’s deadline, Olshey learned his lesson. I think “Big Deal Neil” was planning his next scheme of gaining financial flexibility for the Blazers.
The GM knew other teams weren’t likely to offer Hood a larger contract coming off last year’s Achilles injury. But it made sense for Portland to offer the 28-year-old a higher contract now. First, the new deal was a reward for taking a smaller contract to stay with the team the prior year.
Due to the NBA’s complicated salary cap rules, Hood’s contract also allows Portland to have a movable asset to trade for a high ticket player in a contract for contract swap (within 10 percent). Had Hood come back for the same or slightly more money, as he did last season, that wouldn’t be possible.
The same goes for Derrick Jones Jr. Overpaying now for the young forward could wind up as a bargain if he continues to develop. Just like Hood, Jones could rise as a solid long term player for the team.
If neither Hood nor Jones is an “answer,” then the Portland Trail Blazers have roughly $19–20M in movable salary at the trade deadline. In Hood’s case, his second year is a team option. That means it’s possible to use him as an “expiring” contract in trades.
It’s similar to Meyers Leonard’s re-signing with Miami for one year, $9.4M. The Heat have a player that could be moved at the deadline with a higher amount of expiring money attached. Using the Leonard example, Hood and DJJ have more potential impact.
Keep in mind these are hypotheticals. The main idea is pointing out the Blazers payroll flexibility.
Do you think the Portland Trail Blazers set themselves up for a big trade later this season? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.