Rodney Hood has promised to fight for his place in the NBA Finals

The former Utah Jazz scorer has struggled since teaming up with LeBron James in Cleveland in a mid-season, three-team trade, culminating in the 26-year-old being relegated to a fringe bench player. Hood played a total of just 33 minutes over the course of the Cavs’ seven-game series against Boston, not playing a minute in any of the four games Cleveland won. He is averaging 4.6 points while shooting 41.5 per cent from the field and 15.8 per cent on three-pointers in the postseason – but coach Lue hinted he could be set to return against the Warriors tonight.

Hood is averaging just 15.8 percent on three-pointers in the postseason

“Rodney has been working hard,” Lue said. “He had opportunities in the first round. He’s been working to play, and he’s going to get opportunities. Just because he didn’t play last night or that much in the Boston series, I’ve always talked to him about being ready, staying ready, because he is a great talent and we’re going to need him.

I was playing at such a high clip when I got traded Rodney Hood

“He’s going to get a chance and an opportunity.” The 6ft 8ins shooting guard had been considered an impactful player during his time in Utah; Hood averaged career-highs of 16.8 points and 2.6 made three-pointers on 38.9 per cent shooting in 39 games for the Jazz. And the former Duke prospect said he needs to show his mental strength in order to rediscover his form. “I was playing at such a high clip when I got traded,” Hood told The Undefeated.

The 25-year-old could feature in tonight's Game 2, coach Ty Lue said