Lakers trade rumors: Eight targets to watch for at the trade deadline
By Jason Reed
SG Rodney Hood
This move is not a move towards the salary cap like the previous two. Instead, this is a move by the Los Angeles Lakers to bring in established talent to lure in any superstars. A lot of fans assume that the Lakers will simply sign any star they want this offseason.
What a lot of fans tend to forget, though, is there needs to be a foundation to lure any stars in. As promising as Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram are, superstars understandably want to win now. Thus, Los Angeles can capitalize on recent trade rumors around Rodney Hood and strengthen their case towards signing a superstar.
Hood is having a solid season after taking over for the departing Gordon Hayward. Hood is averaging 16.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in just 28.3 minutes per game. Most importantly, Hood is cheap; the Lakers would only need to pay him a qualifying offer next season.
For Hood, the Lakers could also assume the contract of Derrick Favors and Joe Johnson, sending the Jazz either the expiring Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jordan Clarkson or again, Julius Randle. Throw in a second round pick and this deal seems great for both sides.
LA gets a very solid, very cheap shooting guard to lure in other stars while also opening salary cap space. Win-win.