Toronto Raptors push guarantee date on Rodney Hood’s contract back

The Toronto Raptors have decided to push the guaranteed date on Rodney Hood’s contract today to August 3. The NBA Draft is less than two days away, and the Raptors have a chance at adding a tremendous franchise-changing talent. Still, they have to check some minor procedural boxes first, with Rodney Hood numbering among them.

In the meantime, there is no guarantee Toronto will select a player at the draft, or they may and then immediately flip the pick in a package for a star player. Today’s word was that Raptors’ management rejected a one-sided deal with the 76ers for Ben Simmons. 

One piece that could be moved in a potential trade is Hood, who could make eight figures next season despite an underwhelming stint with Toronto. The Raptors are putting the decision of guaranteeing his 2021 money on the backburner.

By mutual consent, Hood and the Raptors tabled the deadline for his $10.85 million salary next year until August 3, giving the Raptors time to sift through trade ideas that could send Hood elsewhere.

The Toronto Raptors acquired Rodney Hood at the trade deadline

Hood was acquired at the trade deadline in a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers. Norman Powell was traded away, and the Raptors received Hood and Gary Trent Jr.

While with Toronto, Hood played in 17 games this year, averaging 3.9 points in 12.7 minutes per game. Hood’s relevance as a rotation player has been in question since the Cavaliers acquired him in a trade from Utah back in 2018. An Achilles injury certainly didn’t help things out.

The purpose of pushing Hood’s contract is a wise decision.

The reason for pushing the date for a decision on Hood’s contract may very well be that management may be looking to include the player in a transaction that could fetch a massive star.

Recently, the rumor mill has linked Toronto to players like Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, and the deal above that fell through with Philadelphia. The $10.8 million due to Hood could be used as cap ballast on draft night or an agreement announced in free agency, including a sign and trade for upcoming free agent Kyle Lowry.

If the Raptors had waived that salary now, Hood would be off the books and no longer a financial asset in a future transaction. It’s a decision that provides the team with flexibility, including the prospect of waiving the player and salary.

The Raptors will have options between now and Thursday night’s draft. All eyes will be focused on what name Toronto calls at No. 4 overall at the 2021 NBA Draft. Still, Hood could be a nice trade asset, and he could be on the move if the front office gets risky enough.