Toronto Raptors: 3 players who are not returning next season

No. 2: SF Rodney Hood

While trading Powell is upsetting to the Raptors fanbase, it gets worse when you realize that the two players returning in that deal may not be Raptors for very long. The Raptors have more control over Trent’s situation, as he is a RFA at the season’s end and can match any offer made to him.

In Rodney Hood’s case, he signed a two-year contract with Portland in the summer of 2019 worth $21 million, and next season’s salary is not guaranteed. This gives the Raptors a measure of control over Hood’s contract, and his addition to the roster is like an audition.

If he plays well, management could guarantee his contract for next season. However, he is trying this season to overcome an Achilles tendon tear suffered in December of 2019.

Will Rodney Hood improve with the Toronto Raptors?

Hood has managed to play in 38 games this season for Portland, but his production is even worse than his rookie season, which was decent when he averaged 8.7 points a game. This season he is averaging 4.7 points a game and is shooting 29.8 percent on the three-ball. His best season was 2017-18, when he averaged 14.7 points per game and shot 38.1 percent from deep.

2017-18 was also the year he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers and, in a playoff game, upset his teammates when he refused to enter the fourth quarter of a playoff game. Oddly enough, that game was against the Raptors. He hasn’t really been the same player since.

Hood’s lack of production this season could be linked to overcoming the Achilles tendon issue from last season. His salary at over $10 million would be more manageable than Powell’s situation if you believe you can get a 28-year-old Hood healthy and focused on playing basketball.

At 6-8 and with the ability to hit threes and defend, the question becomes if Hood can play consistently? He will get 28 games in Toronto to prove which player he is. In his first three games as a Raptor, Hood has recorded 22 points.