LeBron James is the focus of the Cavaliers offseason, but to build its best case as the preferred destination for James, Cleveland must first make other roster moves.
Thursday was a big day for the Cleveland front office as it decided to make a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Rodney Hood and pick up Kendrick Perkins’ option for next season, according to Cleveland.com.
The Perkins decision is interesting because the team has no intention of paying him the $2.4 million option. Instead, the veteran big man will be used as a trade piece when the Cavaliers look to add an impact player this offseason.
If the Cavs can’t include Perkins in a deal, they can simply waive him before his salary becomes guaranteed and walk away scot-free from a 33-year-old big that didn’t play a single minute in the 2018 playoffs.
As for Hood, 25, the Cavs’ decision to extend a $3.4 million qualifying offer makes Hood a restricted free agent and allows the team to match any offer Hood receives on the open market.
Hood had some nice moments after being acquired by Cleveland at the trade deadline, but fell out of the rotation in the playoffs before scoring 15 points in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. In 21 games with the Cavs, Hood averaged 10.8 points.
