INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Kevin Love, the Cavaliers' second-leading scorer last season, is the team's new offensive focal point. He's the only starter head coach Tyronn Lue is even willing to name this early into training camp.

That leads to the logical follow-up question: Who steps into Love's 2017-18 role as No. 2?

Is 19-year-old rookie Collin Sexton truly ready for that responsibility on a team that has playoff aspirations? It's probably too early for Cedi Osman, right? After all, the second-year man has started just 12 games in his NBA career and has only reached double figures in scoring seven times. Banking on JR Smith to bounce back after two lousy seasons seems ill-advised, especially given so much uncertainty with him.

That's why Lue has identified Rodney Hood.

"He's really good. Really good," Lue said of Hood on Wednesday following the first of two practices on the schedule. "Scoring the basketball, attacking the basket, doing everything with pace and speed. Right now he is probably going to have to be our second leading scorer behind Kevin. That's what I see."

For Hood, that shouldn't be a problem. He was Utah's second-leading scorer during the 2016-17 season. According to former general manager David Griffin, Hood was considered by some members of the Jazz coaching staff to be even more important than All-Star Gordon Hayward when both were still in Utah.

But that was prior to the second half of last season. It was before Hood's life was thrown into chaos after a midseason trade. It was before the pressure and expectations were too great. Before the intense worry about his contract situation became oppressive. All of it was too much.

Hood lost himself -- often receiving pick-me-up texts from his concerned mother, Vicky, who wanted him to smile more and find joy on the court again. Then he lost his rotation spot.

But the Cavs have seen glimpses of the old Rodney. They believe he's ready for this increased role. Hood is a 6-foot-8 swingman dripping with potential. The talent is obvious. He looks the part of the interchangeable wing that every NBA team covets, the guy the Cavaliers want to make part of a young nucleus expected to steer them into this new era.

"Having those last two games against Golden State where he played well that's the Rodney Hood that we know," Lue said. "For him to get a taste of that on the big stage and in The Finals I think did a lot for him. That's how talented he is and that's what we are going to need every night."

After limited playing time in the Eastern Conference finals and the first two games against the Warriors, Hood popped off the bench on the biggest stage and scored 15 points on 7-of-11 from the field in 26 minutes during a Game 3 loss. He followed with another double-digit scoring night in the series finale.

The Cavs are hoping Hood can use that as a springboard. They are hoping his confidence, which can be fragile, will get a boost from those June showings. They are hoping no longer having that burdensome championship-or-bust mentality will fit his game and personality.

Cleveland is also expected to implement a new offense this season. Forget the constant isolation that became both a blessing and a curse. Forget one player dominating possession while the shot clock winds down. That's a recipe for failure with this group and everyone in the organization knows it.

This season will feature more motion, ball movement and post-ups with actions off those sets.

Hood worked this summer on his body in anticipation of more post touches. He worked on his away-from-the-ball game.

All of that should help a talented player who never looked comfortable in Cleveland.

"He came from Utah where Coach (Quin) Snyder ran a lot of stuff for him coming off the bench and kind of ran offense through him," Lue said. "Coming into a situation where LeBron had the ball in his hands a lot and the second unit was different with (Kyle) Korver and different guys, it was a change for him. Only having 30 games with that change was tough.

"Now he understands what we are looking for, he's going to be a big option on this team and we need him to score the basketball. He knows where his shots are coming from. That's a good thing."

It's up to Hood now. He enters camp with a clear mind and fresh perspective. He knows this was a bumpy start and he has much to make up for. A restricted free agent this past summer, the fruitful offer sheet never came and Hood ultimately ended up signing his qualifying offer -- a one-year prove-it deal.

If that's not a wake-up call, then what is?

"Just getting back to myself," Hood said of his mindset heading into the season. "Being a scorer, being aggressive and being a different player than I was the past few months when I was here. I feel like this is the first time introducing myself to Cleveland people other than what they heard about me."

So who is Rodney Hood? The Cavaliers' new second scoring option.