NBA players entering their fourth season in the league who are under contract via a rookie-scale deal are eligible to sign an extension this year by 6 p.m. ET on Oct. 16. Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood is one of these players, and according to The Salt Lake Tribune, contract negotiations have begun.

Tony Jones writes: "The two sides have had preliminary conversations as the Jazz hope Hood can become their primary perimeter scorer this season after Gordon Hayward left for the Boston Celtics. Another meeting is expected to occur in the next few weeks."

Hood, who turns 25 in October, played in 59 games last season and averaged 12.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists. Hood's history of injuries is a concern for the Jazz, as he's missed 58 regular-season games during his first three years in NBA. If Hood can stay healthy, he will likely remain a starter.

Like Hood, guard Dante Exum is also eligible to sign an extension by the Oct. 16 deadline. If neither player signs a new deal, both will become restricted free agents in 2018.

-- Nick Silva