There’s an expectation around the NBA that Rockets big man Christian Wood will generate “significant” trade interest this season, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, who adds that people around the league believe Houston will consider offers.
Wood, 26, parlayed a strong 2019/20 season in Detroit into a three-year, $41MM deal with the Rockets during the 2020 offseason. He has outperformed that deal so far, averaging 19.5 PPG and 10.2 RPG on .499/.362/.612 shooting in 60 games (32.5 MPG) in Houston. He’ll become an unrestricted free agent in 2023.
As O’Connor notes, one reason Wood chose to sign with the Rockets a year ago was to play with James Harden, which obviously didn’t last long. That doesn’t necessarily mean Wood wants out now, but he’d be more valuable to a playoff team than a rebuilding club. Rival executives have wondered whether Houston will be motivated to trade its veteran bigs – Wood and/or Daniel Theis – in order to open up more minutes for promising rookie Alperen Sengun, O’Connor writes.
I’d be a little surprised if the Rockets look to move Theis this season — the team signed him to a long-term deal in August after having drafted Sengun and fully committed to the rebuild, so he doesn’t fall into the same category as vets like Wood, John Wall, and Eric Gordon, who were on the roster before Harden was dealt. For what it’s worth, O’Connor says Theis will receive “mild” trade interest from teams in need of a reliable backup center.
While it remains to be seen whether either Wood or Theis will be dealt, the 3-16 Rockets should certainly be sellers at the February deadline — Wall, Gordon, D.J. Augustin, and Danuel House are among the other vets who could be shopped.
Wood 2 Wolves great fit!!!
Wood plays better as a centre than a PF, why would the wolves trade for an AS level back up for KAT? Pointless trying squeeze them into the same line up. If towns wants out then he’s a good replacement. But otherwise it’s a bad call. Like Beal to Warriors, if Klay comes back strong what do you do?
Wood is PF
Beasley and 2023 top 10 protected First
Wood is a centre. He can play PF and used to be. But you want points and boards. You won’t get that at the 4. He’s been a centre since he joined the rockets. Only time he was playing PF was when he was averaging poor numbers and Theis was starting. Since going back to centre he’s got his numbers back up and got the rockets the wins against Bulls and Hornets.
He has been much better playing center in Houston than PF, even though he may not look like a center.
And the team has been winning more in the process. Overdue change from Silas, but a needed one.
I guess Joel Blank might get his wish
Would be fun in Charlotte with Lamelo and that team.
Plumlee shouldn’t be the starter….
That would be an upgrade.
Rockets are garbage. Jalen Green looks to have been the 4th or 5th best rookie and that KPJ guy a lot of posters here were hyping is looking booty. That being said the 3 rookies they got in the first round all appear decent.
Yeah, saying a rookie is the X best after 20 games is foolish. KPJ is 20 years old and still has room to grow. He’s a talented player. It’s so funny how fast people wanna just assume what these guys are so quickly.
Couldn’t agree more Cam. Green has shown glimpses why he was picked 2 in a stacked draft a couple of times. He just needs to build up his confidence and shot IQ. Like saying Cade is terrible or Suggs who’s numbers are very similar. Not all rookies can hit a 20+ppg off the bat.
KPJ is growing day by day. He was a star against the hornets and his turnovers were down. Both are heading in the right direction for a “rebuilding team”.
Having a developmental back court will obviously look bad before it looks good. Personally I think the potential is very special.
He definitely needs to be coming off the bench with maybe a little less minutes. This would atleast give the Rockets a chance to win. I don’t think he is bad, or will be. It is obviously clear they are playing better without his terrible inefficiency so far though. Just give him a bench role for a bit until he gets in his groove.
I agree. Considering the talk that they want Wall to earn a starting role. I think it should be the same for Green. Have him earn the spot and his game will improve.
I think a lot of them playing better is the lineup change. They were too stagnant and having Theis/Wood on the court together wasn’t working. Rookies typically don’t come into the league and kill it with efficiency. Green needs to get bigger physically and learn the NBA game more.
You’re not wrong. I said earlier, wood and theis just cancel each other out and wood needs to be playing at the centre. Hence the theis drop.
I think it’s draft over development. They know freezing out wall, and the your backcourt increases the tank this season. But it also hinders both Green and KPJ’s development, they shouldn’t be running the games until they’re ready.
The Rockets got 4 rookies in the first round: Green, Sengun, Usman Garuba, and Josh Christopher.
Yea they did. One top prospect a good lottery prospect and 2 other strong candidate players. But it’s clear they’re holding out for someone like banchero or holmgren etc in the 22. Starting green and KPJ game in game out just isn’t working. Not saying it won’t. But it’s needs to be developed in the right way. Which right now they’re not.
Yeah I meant to say the 3 other
All of them have potential in different ways. Green has amazing athleticism and scoring potential. Sengun is very polished for a player his age. Garuba has incredible potential on defense, and Christopher looks like he could develop into a solid 2-way player.
No argument there. I love the look of all 4, living up to the prospect though, that’s the kicker. what I’m trying to say is they’re banking on another possible star along with Green in the 22. Much like 76ers did with Embiid and Simmons, or Boston with Tatum and Brown. No argument any of the other 3 could become that. But there are a few in the draft who are more likely and they are looking at it. 100% Green comes back and Silas will start him again. And I can see wood gone sooner or later to give Sengun more play time. Silas’s job is safe even if they finish bottom of the league. It’s a strategy, I just believe his development would be better if they didn’t simply start him and grew him into the team. I also do think Gordon is helping his development as a role model.
Then your name will have to become AlpieGreenPorter. Sorry i couldn’t resist!!
Mavs please
Live in Chicago. Would love for the Bulls to trade for Wood. Unfortunately, the Bulls don’t have much ‘dry gun powder’ for a trade for Wood. Doubt trading Troy Brown and either Coby White or Ayo Dosunmu would interest the Rockets.
Don’t understand why the Rockets would want to trade Wood. Wood is young, a talent and on a ‘team friendly’ contract. Seems stupid for the Rockets to trade Wood.
Not really when they’re doing right by the player and the team.
Wood obviously would like to be on a more competitive team at 26. And the rockets would honour that.
The rockets have a very good young centre in Sengun who deserves to start. So while his value is at its highest, it’s the best for both parties.
Wood has played very little (and started less than 85 games) career-wise; and only for two of the NBA’s worst teams. Plus, he’s also only signed through next season. I’m sure there are some good fits, but I think most of the demand will be from good (win now) teams, so any significant future assets will likely be picks and he’s not the type of player to warrant unprotected 1st’s.
Coby White and Patrick Williams for Wood…who says no?
I think the Bulls definitely do. The Rockets would likely take that and run.
Yeah maybe, Coby not a AK draft pick and Williams has been meh.
How long have I been saying it. Man someone should hire me. Can’t do worse than half these teams.
C-Wood was pretty impressive last season, this year he has been so far a lil bit below, not quite at the level I expected… but definitely HOU must trade him or Theis, they have to find a way to play more Sengun, the guy is almost at 1st All-Rookie Team level, but… playing much less than the rookies ahead of him, which means that if he can play more at the level he is playing, he can easily be a finalist for the ROY, which would be very cool for the kid, right?
Point is Rockets are rebuilding. Wood can give back plenty value. Rockets are better off with picks and you g talent.?Wood is 27. Green is 19, Sengun is 19. And an old school PF. Rockets get two top picks this yr (top 10). They will be winners for a long time. Soon enough.
I may disappear from here sometime in the near future, related to the life altering experience I suffered two months ago. I have enjoyed posting here. Thanks to all.
Pleaese, keep us posted
Thank you, sincerely. I know that post seemed kind of desperate.
I just have a lot going on right now. But thanks for the kind words.
At least my Rockets are playing better lately, so that helps some.
In the win over OKC, C. Wood had his first career 20-20 game and K. Porter Jr had his first career triple-double. Great job by both.
Sorry to hear whatever it is that has occured. Best of luck in dealing with it! Your contributions will be missed…as well as your changing names :P
I hope you’re all good bro, we’re all fans here.
Time for Christian to come full Circle, back to the 76wers where he started
And play back up to the back up. This is a bad call. Centre is a position 76ers are very strong at. And like I’ve said before. Wood isn’t the best at PF. I don’t see them going for this.
Unless they want to try him at PF and decimate the squad and take on wall. Wall wood and matthews for Simmons green curry and korkmaz. Which probably still isn’t enough to match.
Otherwise, sixers don’t have much value to trade, bar Maxey who should be seen as untouchable right now.