The Christian Wood Trade Makes Perfect Sense For Both Teams
Most people thought that the Christian Wood trade was bad for Houston and great for Dallas. I disagree. I think it’s a win-win for everybody.
The Christian Wood trade is not some shocking, otherworldly event. The 26-year-old didn’t fit on the Houston Rockets for two reasons. One, he was good, and two, he was set to make a lot of money soon. So, the Rockets shipped him off to Dallas, a contending team who just got better.
Most people hated this trade. But, in my mind, it’s a perfect win-win for both parties. Almost.
The Actual Trade
Before we psychoanalyze a trade that we will not see play out for months, let’s actually see the transaction. Hold your opinions at the door, please.
Rockets Receive: Boban Marjonovic – Trey Burke – Marquese Chriss – Sterling Brown – 2022 FRP (26th)
Dallas Receives: Christian Wood
Christian Wood is entering the last year of his contract. He’s set to be paid $14.3 million in 2023 before entering unrestricted free agency as a 28-year-old. Will the Mavericks re-sign Wood? I guess it depends on how this upcoming season goes. But, I see this as more of a rental than anything. Still, it’s a good get for the Mavs.
For the Rockets, they accomplish their goals. They got something for Wood – who wasn’t going to stay on a rebuilding Rockets team. That late first-round pick will be helpful. And the thing that is being overlooked the most is the salary return. The Rockets are taking back just $12 million in salary. Every single contract they’re taking back is minimal and set to expire soon.
It was a money-saving move – one that was needed for a team that has to save money for extensions down the line. With the logistics out of the way, let’s talk about why this deal is such a win-win.
The Dallas Mavericks Are Going For It
For the most part, the NBA is wide open right now. There isn’t an overwhelming superteam (knock wood) that we know will win it all in early September. With Luka Doncic, Dallas’ championship window is as open as the Great Plains. They finally broke through to the Western Conference Finals this past season with a new head coach in Jason Kidd.
It’s their time to blossom into contenders in the West – and they know it. Too many times have we seen teams fail to adjust their rosters simply because they’ve had success in the past. Dallas knows they have a special player in Luka, so they’re doing something about it. They already get some claps from me for that alone.
While Wood doesn’t solve their needs defensively, he helps them oh, so much offensively. He can shoot, take bigs off the dribble, and post up. Wood’s pick-and-rolls with Doncic will be much more lethal than those with Maxi Kleber.
There aren’t many bigs who can average 10 rebounds and shoot 39% from outside on five attempts a night. There just aren’t. Wood makes Dallas better. That’s the bottom line. Hopefully, Dallas utilizes him better than they did with Porzingis.
As for what the Mavericks gave up, it’s pennies on the dollar. The four players they gave up in this trade played just 1642 minutes this past season. That’s equivalent to one season of Montrezl Harrell. You get the point.
Now, does that mean Dallas is done this offseason? Heavens no. Jalen Brunson is awaiting a new deal. Tim Hardaway Jr, Maxi Kleber, and Dwight Powell may need new homes. GM Nico Harrison is going to have his hands full. But, trading for a player like Wood, rental or not, is a step in the right direction.
The Houston Rockets Understand Their Situation
Tone-deafness is something that is rampant around the NBA. Too often, we see teams fail to understand what to do in their unique situations. Luckily, the Houston Rockets understand exactly who they are and what they’re trying to accomplish. That’s the best way to described trading Christian Wood, far and away their best player.
Wood was set to become a free agent after this upcoming season. Was there a point in having him on the team? He’s older than most of the roster and is in the way of Alperen Sengun, the talented Turkish youngster with star potential.
What’s the point of keeping that sort of guy around for a year? The Rockets’ offense now has 12.9 more shots to go around. In addition, the Rockets have another opportunity to add talent with the 26th pick in the draft.
That 26th pick is the second 1st-rounder the Rockets have in this year’s draft, which is a week away. Houston’s other pick? #3 overall. And, barring the closest thing to a miracle, the Rockets will be taking a forward. By the looks of it, Duke’s Paolo Banchero will be their selection.
So, trading Wood not only allows the Rockets to develop Sengun, it gives them a chance to pave the way for an incoming star in Banchero. In return, they get four one-year contracts that will amount to nothing.
The Rockets got younger, cheaper, and more flexible. For a rebuilding team, that’s the damn jackpot.
Repercussions Of The Deal
Now it’s time for everybody’s favorite…CONSEQUENCES! As much as I like the deal for both sides, there are certain repercussions that we have to discuss. Such as;
The Rockets Got Younger
Oscar Wilde said, “With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone.” I’m sure a few doves just shed some tears, but the start of that quote is what’s important. With age comes wisdom. Losing Christian Wood means the Rockets will get younger. Drafting Paolo Banchero or some other near-teenager means the Rockets will get even younger.
I can’t exactly say that’s a good thing – especially for team behavior/morale. Head coach Stephen Silas has been through hell in his first two seasons. This past season, he had to deal with the immaturity of Kevin Porter Jr. and even Wood himself. Getting younger isn’t exactly the way to solve that problem.
With age comes wisdom
Tim Hardaway Jr Feels Lonley
I don’t share too many things with NBA players, but Tim Hardaway Jr. and I may be sharing something very soon. We’re both incredibly lonely. Hardaway was Doncic’s only reliable teammate during the 2021 postseason. That earned him a $72 million dollar contract extension.
In 2022, he played like crap, got hurt, and all but got replaced by Spencer Dinwiddie. Ouch. Now with Christian Wood coming into the mix, it seems like Dallas’ new bloated, ugly contract belongs to Hardaway. Hell, even Davis Bertans seems somewhat comparable to Hardaway, which is saying a lot.
If he doesn’t turn things around in 2023, Hardaway could be moved at the deadline. So, for once, I can say I have something in common with an NBA player. Join me in the corner of loneliness, Tim!
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