Portland Trail Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey admits he was surprised shooting guard Rodney Hood accepted the team's $5.7 million mid-level exception.
Hood re-signed with the Blazers on a two-year deal worth $11.7 million. Olshey initially didn't think the mid-level exception would be enough to keep Hood.
Via Jason Quick of The Athletic:
The Blazers also wanted to improve their perimeter, and truth be told, valued Rodney Hood more than (Enes) Kanter but figured the $5.7 million tax midlevel — the most the Blazers could offer anyone — wasn’t rich enough. Plus, the Blazers didn’t figure they could land a starting wing for that price.
If there was disappointment, it didn’t last long. While waiting for Kanter, Olshey learned that Hood was in on the Blazers. He was ready to commit to the $5.7 million midlevel.
“Never in a million years did I think Rodney would entertain that number,” Olshey said.
Portland acquired Rodney Hood from the Cleveland Cavaliers this past season at the February trade deadline. The lefty played in 27 games with Portland during the regular season and averaged 9.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 45.2 percent from the field, 34.5 percent from beyond the arc and 80.5 percent from the free-throw line.
During Portland's 2019 postseason run, Hood put up 9.9 points per game. He averaged 14.7 points in the second-round series against the Denver Nuggets. The Blazers won that series in seven games.
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