Watch: Damian Lillard Gives Warm Welcome to Rodney Hood

This past Sunday, the Portland Trail Blazers traded Nik Stauskas, Wade Balwin IV and two second round picks to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Rodney Hood. When asked about the trade, star guard Damian Lillard lamented about losing two teammates but also praised what Hood brings to the team:

Hate to see that, but it’s a business at the end of the day. Rodney Hood is a helluva player. You try to do what you can to improve your roster and I think what he does on the floor, it can be good for our team.

Lillard specifically pointed to Hood’s size, scoring ability and defense as qualities that make Hood a valuable player:

Just another big wing that can score the ball. He can make shots. He’s a solid defender. I know that from playing against him when they would put him on me sometimes. Just his size and athleticism was more of a challenge than when I was being guarded by someone my size.

Lillard also vaguely touched on the possibility of more action by the deadline, although it’s unclear what teams he was speculating about. He developed a reputation for breaking news about various media members joining other outlets back in September.

The whole video can be viewed here: