INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers got together to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday evening. Rodney Hood, like the rest of the guys, was planning to be there. He was even around teammates one night earlier. But an agreed-to trade with Portland hours before kickoff changed that.

That's life in the NBA, especially this time of year.

"I really appreciate Rodney's whole professionalism while he was here," Cavs head coach Larry Drew said. "I thought he did a great job for us. I'm sure he understands the nature of this business, particularly when we get around trade deadline time. I thought he was a real pro when he was with us.

"I think all of our guys understand the nature of this business, the magnitude of this business and how things can happen right around this time. Me personally, I really appreciate what he brought. I appreciated his professionalism. He was a real pro. I just want to wish him all the best."

Hood's time with the Cavs, which lasted less than a year, didn't quite go according to plan.

When Cleveland acquired him from Utah last February, one of many deals to help save the season, the idea was for Hood to eventually take JR Smith's starting spot. Smith, the mercurial veteran, had disappointed the year before and his struggles carried over into the first half of the 2017-18 campaign, leading the front office to search for a more reliable wing.

Only Hood never fit the profile.

He averaged 10.8 points during last year's regular season and got bumped out of the Cavs' playoff rotation, averaging 5.4 points and shooting a miserable 16.7 percent from 3-point range. By the end of his second postseason appearance, Hood had the worst plus-minus of any player.

After a reflective and frustrating summer, Hood was forced to accept the one-year qualifying offer, hoping to rebuild his value and earn a lucrative long-term contract with the Cavaliers. Old head coach Tyronn Lue had big plans for Hood, labeling him as the second scoring option behind Kevin Love.

With a great opportunity available, in a system that fit his game better, Hood looked eager to atone for last season's playoff shortcomings.

But the first few months were much of the same. So the Cavs sent Hood, the team's fifth-leading scorer (if injured Love is included), to Portland in exchange for Nik Stauskas, Wade Baldwin and a pair of future second-round picks.

"We talked about it," Clarkson said of Hood's trade. "We kinda knew he was on the move. Best wishes to him. He's going to a good place. Will be a big boost for him, be able to play and hopefully he gets to do his thing."

Clarkson was asleep when news of that deal broke on Sunday. He saw the notification pop up on his phone. No chance to say goodbye. No time for friendly banter.

"It is tough, but we got cell phones, we call each other," Clarkson said. "It ain't the old days, we ain't got to write letters no more."

Clarkson said he was planning to text Hood shortly after Monday's practice. Like Hood, Clarkson knows all about the NBA's whirlwind trade season.

On Feb. 8, 2018, Clarkson was with the Los Angeles Lakers, ready to suit up later that night for one last game before heading on the road. Los Angeles was about to leave for a three-game road trip before the All-Star break. When the Cavs traded for him, also acquiring Larry Nance Jr. in that deal, Clarkson was again sleeping.

"You're almost in shock like you wake up, you're heading to practice and you get a phone call," Clarkson said. "Like, 'Hey, yo, get your stuff, grab it, go pack a bag.' When I got traded here (the Cavs) were on the road, so basically I just took my suitcase, got on a flight and met the team in Atlanta. It was kinda shocking. Just gotta kinda push forward and look for the next thing."

That's what the Cavs are trying to do the next few days. Hood became the latest departure in a rebuilding season, joining George Hill, Kyle Korver and Sam Dekker. More could be coming, including Alec Burks, who has a valuable expiring contract, and exiled JR Smith.

For Hood, it's a fresh start. According to league sources, Hood gave Cleveland's front office a list of around eight teams in which he would approve a deal. Because Hood signed a $3.4 million qualifying offer this season, he had rare veto power. Even though his family had settled in after a bumpy start in Cleveland and he spoke about wanting to stay with the organization long term, the temptation to play for a playoff team while also having a clearly-defined role -- much different than the situation with the Cavs last February -- was too much to pass up.

The Blazers, fourth in the Western Conference and in need of a scorer to take pressure of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, fit those two parameters, which made it easy for Hood to sign off on the deal.

The Cavs have to refocus now too. When a reporter started asking Clarkson about this unsettling week, with players not knowing who will remain following Thursday's 3 p.m. buzzer, he quickly interrupted.

"Is everybody going somewhere," he asked while laughing.

That's Clarkson's way of blocking out the noise. Keeping things light during this strenuous time is about all he can do. After all, nobody knows who will be next.

"I try not to get caught up into that," Drew said. "Approach each day at a time. I've been in this thing too long to the point where I allow myself to get caught up in it. As a coach, you're aware of what possibilities may come up, but me personally, I try to take one day at a time. Keep coaching the players I have and just wait for this thing to pass by."