I would either build temporary shade out of stakes and burlap or sheets and move them in the fall, or dig them, pot them, and wait for fall to plant them.

They are still small and easily transplanted.
Put them in partial shade and water well.
I do it all the time.
Mike

Yes, these have dense shallow balls easily dug and moved. And sudden significant change in exposure does burn rhododendron foliage.

Potting plants makes them more vulnerable to drying out, unless you are more likely to water them with required frequency in pots placed near the water source than farther out in the yard, in the ground.

you do what you gotta do.. when you gotta do it ...

either repot them in larger pots ... or do what mike said.. its all about not letting them dry out in july/august ...

that said.. do let them drive away with a truck full of wood chips.. if you have a garden ..

it never fails to amaze me.. how many peeps pay to have them hauled away.. only to then go order a batch for the new bed where the tree used to be.. lol

ken

that said.. do let them drive away with a truck full of wood chips.. if you have a garden ..

==>>> should have said:

that said.. do NOT let them drive away with a truck full of wood chips.. if you have a garden ..

Why not follow the path of least resistance? Simply put shade fabric, sheer curtains, snow fence or some kind of shade over the rhodo's for two months. By the end of the Dog Days, they will acclimate to full sun and no need to move them. You do know that rhodo's and azaleas are grown by the thousands in south Jersey in full sun, right?

I moved one at 5:30 this morning to an eastern exposure. They will be in the shade by 2:00PM.
Will move the other tomorrow morning.
Will keep them well watered and hope for the best.
Thanks for your help!

Water them again.
And again.
If your weather is anything like mine right now you are now tethered to the water hose until fall.

Important with these not to have hot sun beating on the root zone.