NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Orlando Magic

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WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 10: Rodney Hood #5 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball against the Washington Wizards on January 10, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Rodney Hood

Last year, the Orlando Magic got off to an incredible 8-4 start behind some unsustainable 3-point shooting. The team made 41.0 percent of its 3-pointers in that time. With the team’s construction, that always seemed unsustainable.

Indeed, it was. Orlando finished the year making just 35.1 percent from beyond the arc, the third-worst mark in the league. Aaron Gordon, whose 3-point shooting was a revelation and helped him generate some early All-Star buzz quickly dissipated too. He made less than 30 percent of his 3-pointers in his last 25-plus games.

The Magic did not exactly address their shooting needs in the Draft either. Mohamed Bamba is developing a 3-point shot. But no one should rely on their center to be their primary floor spacer. Second-round pick Melvin Frazier shot worse than 30 percent from beyond the arc in his first two years in college before bursting upward to 38 percent as a junior.

Evan Fournier is the team’s best 3-point shooter. And there is still good money the team could look to trade him this offseason to try to reshuffle their roster — expect to hear Evan Fournier’s name pop up in Reggie Jackson and Dennis Schroder rumors for the rest of the summer.

So Orlando desperately needs shooting. And they need it on a budget.

That might be where the Orlando Magic could look to be the team that revives Rodney Hood and his career after he struggled under the lights with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Hood 14.7 points per game total last year making 38.1 percent of his 3-pointers last year. With the Utah Jazz, he averaged 16.8 points per game with a 51.6 percent effective field goal percentage.

Despite his high-profile struggles on the big stage, Hood is still a player who can contribute at a high level. He even has the capability to get hot and put together some impressive games — Orlando surely remembers 31-point, 7-for-13 3-point-shooting performance in a 40-point Utah win in November.

Hood still has that capability in him. His Playoff performance is not likely a good reflection of his ability as a player. Although it may depress some interest in him for free agency — especially among contending teams.

Orlando undoubtedly could use his shooting to help spread the floor. If they stuck him at shooting guard with the team’s big lineup, that would give the Magic added length and switchability on that end.

It seems like Hood would be a good fit with Orlando overall.

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