Report: Blazers' Hood opting out, will be unrestricted free agent

With the NBA's turbulent financial landscape resulting in many veterans accepting their player options for the 2020-21 season, Portland Trail Blazers wing Rodney Hood has elected to decline his $6-million option, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Hood will become an unrestricted free agent Nov. 20. The Trail Blazers do not possess his full Bird rights but do have early Bird rights, which would allow Portland to re-sign Hood for up to 175% of his previous salary without using a signing tool such as the mid-level exception.

Hood enjoyed a strong start to the 2019-20 campaign before suffering a season-ending injury in mid-December. Prior to tearing his left Achilles tendon, the 28-year-old averaged 11 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game with 49.3% shooting from deep.

Overall, the Trail Blazers outscored opponents by 0.6 points per 100 possessions with Hood in the game last season. In all minutes without him, the team's net rating was minus-2.1 per 100.