On a Super Bowl Sunday afternoon, the news recently broke that the Cavs will be sending forward Rodney Hood over to Portland. In exchange Cleveland receives Nik Stauskas, Wade Baldwin, and two future second round picks. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the deal.
Portland has agreed to a deal to acquire Cleveland forward Rodney Hood for guards Nik Stauskas, Wade Baldwin and two future second-round picks, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 3, 2019
Shortly after, the news broke that the second rounders would come in 2021 and 2023.
Sources: Portland is sending Cleveland a second round pick in 2021 and 2023 for Hood.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 3, 2019
Hood had signed a $3.4M qualifying offer with the Cavaliers in the offseason. While he has shown flashes, especially early in the year, of being a very capable offensive weapon, he has been very inconsistent this season with Cleveland. He is currently averaging 12.2 points on 42.7% shooting, 36.2% from three. Portland was in need of more offensive weapons and they hope Hood can help take some of the load off Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers acquire Nik Stauskas, Wade Baldwin, and the two second rounders.
Stauskas, 25, is in his fifth year in the league. Stauskas was the 8th overall selection by the Kings in 2014. He signed a $1.6M, 1 year deal with Portland in the offseason and is currently putting up 6.1 points for the Blazers. Take a look at his career stats:
He’s been widely considered a draft bust, but has been seen as a sharpshooter throughout his career. He’s recently missed some time with Portland due to a sore knee, but he should be ready to contribute when he arrives in Cleveland.
Meanwhile, point guard Wade Baldwin IV was selected 17th overall in 2016 by the Memphis Grizzlies. Baldwin has not appeared in more than 33 games in a season. Some can be attributed to injuries. Others are from coach’s decision. It’ll be interesting to see what he does in Cleveland with an opportunity.
With the two second round picks, the Cavaliers have now been able to flip Sam Dekker, George Hill, Kyle Korver, and Rodney Hood for seven draft picks.
