The Utah Jazz selected Rodney Hood 23rd overall in an effort to boost their shooting ability.
Hood is probably the third best pure shooter in this draft after Doug McDermott and Nik Stauskas. He can shoot off the dribble, he can receive in-bounds passes and shoot turn arounds, he can come off screens and knock down shots. Basically, if there is a type of shot in the book, Rodney Hood can make it.
Despite being 6’8, Hood is probably best suited to the two-guard position in the NBA, as he’s rather skinny and doesn’t appear to have a great frame for putting on weight. However, I do like his fit with Dante Exum a lot. Hood is excellent as a catch-and-shoot weapon, making him a threat anytime Exum can get into the paint for a kick out. This is the kind of pairing that makes a lot of sense, even though they may play the same nominal position, especially early in their careers.
The problem with Hood is that he doesn’t particularly do much else well outside of shoot. He’s an okay defender, he has a slightly below-average handle, and isn’t as good of a rebounder as you’d expect for someone his size. Basically, you’re drafting Hood to do one thing, and that’s make outside shots.
Typically, I subscribe to the fact that outside shooters tend to differentiate themselves through their ancillary skills. The fact of the matter is that I don’t love Hood’s ancillary skills. Unless he develops those skills, he’s probably an 8th man who can come in and hopefully catch fire for you.
One thing this pick probably does not do is affect the Gordon Hayward negotiations in any way. Hayward is one of the most complete offensive players in the league, and you can’t replace him by simply adding a shooter. Even combining Hood’s and Exum’s skills together, there still is not enough reason here to justify letting Hayward go, even if Hayward is still going to want a lot the ball in his hands.
Hood’s a fine pick here that fits a need, but I don’t think this moves the needle one way or the other in Salt Lake City.