After the Utah Jazz lost both their leading scorers from this most recent season in George Hill and Gordon Hayward, a lot of their perimeter players accustomed to having reduced roles will now have to shine. Names like Dante Exum, Rodney Hood, and Alec Burks come to mind as all 3 young guards hold plenty of potential. That trio was looking at increased roles this year in the Utah backcourt until Exum’s injury that has put his season in jeopardy.
For the other two, however, this remains a monumental campaign and for Hood especially who’s contract expires at the conclusion of the season. With the deadline for fourth-year extensions being cut off at midnight tonight, Salt Lake Tribune’s Tony Jones reports that ‘barring a last minute change,’ the Jazz and Hood are unlikely to come to an extension agreement, meaning Hood is now slated to hit restricted free agency next summer.
Hood has always been a more than capable scorer, the question has always been his role. Hood has seen his playing time fluctuate over recent years thanks to a crowded backcourt plus abundant injury issues.
With perimeter scoring becoming a gaping hole on this Jazz roster now, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect a career year out of Hood, especially with his contract expiring. Even without a ton of scorers and stuck in a loaded Western Conference, this Jazz team will be a lot of fun to watch and could surprise some people.
