The Rockets held firm in their asking price of a first-round pick in exchange for Christian Wood and landed the 26th selection after agreeing to a trade with the Mavericks, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Sources tell Fischer that Houston’s asking price remains the same for Eric Gordon, with the team seeking yet another first-rounder.
Gordon was productive for the rebuilding club in 2021/22, averaging 13.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists on .475/.412/.778 shooting in 57 games, including 46 starts (29.3 minutes). Although his points per game were tied for a career-low, the veteran shooting guard posted a career-best true shooting percentage of 61.4%.
The 33-year-old is essentially on an expiring $19.57MM contract in ’22/23, as his $20.92MM figure for ’23/24 is non-guaranteed.
Here’s more on the Rockets and Mavs:
- As Keith Smith of Spotrac observes (via Twitter), if the Rockets keep all of their first round picks (third, 17th and 26th), they’ll have 19 players on guaranteed contracts for ’22/23, so Houston will have to make additional moves to get down to 15 prior to next season. Smith also notes that Dennis Schröder and Bruno Fernando are likely out of the picture due to the roster crunch. While this is an assumption on Smith’s part and not a report, his logic certainly makes sense, as neither player figures to be in the team’s long-term plans. Schröder is an unrestricted free agent this summer, while Fernando could be restricted if Houston tenders him a $2.2MM qualifying offer, which seems very unlikely at this point.
- In his video breakdown of the trade, Bobby Marks of ESPN says the Rockets will generate a $4MM trade exception as part of the deal. Zach Harper of The Athletic grades the swap, giving the Mavs a B-plus and the Rockets a B.
- Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle says (via Twitter) that Wood’s character concerns are overblown, calling him a “stand-up guy in an unbelievably tough two-season stretch.” Feigen believes Wood will “flourish” in Dallas.
- The timing of the trade was interesting, per Jonathan Givony of ESPN (Twitter link), who notes that Paolo Banchero worked out for the Rockets earlier in the day and then the team decided to trade a starting big man in Wood. Banchero is widely projected to go third overall to Houston.
- The four-for-one swap creates an unexpected amount of roster room for the Mavs, and league sources tell Marc Stein (via Twitter) that Theo Pinson is “strongly expected” to be re-signed on a standard deal. Pinson was viewed as the unofficial ring leader of the Mavs’ bench mob that earned the team $175K in fines during the playoffs due to its “bench decorum” violations. Stein reported a few weeks ago that Dallas wanted to retain Pinson, who is no longer eligible for a two-way contract after obtaining four years of NBA experience.
- One of Dallas’ top priorities entering free agency is acquiring a wing capable of receiving rotation minutes in the playoffs, tweets Tim MacMahon of ESPN. The Mavs will be a luxury tax team in ’22/23, so their main tool to sign a free agent will be the taxpayer mid-level exception, which is projected to be worth $6,392,000.
I haven’t seen too much video on Wood but I thought a 18+ point scorer in the post was an absolute blessing for Luka. His style of play lends itself to having a “big” in the post of a slow up and down half court set. Luka van take the burden off of himself by having that 2nd option. I was thinking more of Ayton but they don’t match up for salaries or perhaps a sign and trade with the Knicks for Dallas native Randle if Brunson was dead-set to sign with NY. Wood could work. Is he more of a cleanup/ lob guy or does he have some moves in the post too? Only saw 1 or 2 Rocket’s games last year and he wasn’t memorable.
Wood is a rim runner and a 3 point shooter. He plays switching defense and guard smaller players well too. Winning sure cures attitude problems. Although I don’t think he is going to bring Dallas a championship, he will be a very good addition.
Wood doesn’t guard anyone well. Famously so.
There’s a really great breakdown of Wood’s offensive and defensive game with a lot of video clips packaged together for evidence here:
link to si.com
Wood is basically a better Channing Frye. Good pickup. Not sure they really need to do much else except replenish the bench with MLE and vet min.
More wings? Pleas move Dinwiddie out. He’s not primarily a wing anyway, and I suspect Brunson & Doncic are the guards. Bullock & Hardaway too.
If DAL is concerned about lack of movement in their offense vs GSW, it’s because the 5-out offense looks much like the 5 guys standing around on the perimeter offense.
I heard Dinwiddie was brought in as a ball handler. Most fans seem very happy they have him.
Huh??? Mavs love Dinwiddie. He creates offense. The biggest reason the Mavs took a step forward last year (aside from improving offensively) was the ascension of Brunson and acquisition of Dinwiddie, both of whom can penetrate, distribute and knock down shots. They are a three headed monster. THJ will backup at the 2 and 3 and give the Mavs another dangerous scorer, as long as the Mavs don’t move him … Secondly, the Mavs don’t stand around on offense. Their style of play is based around ball movement with as many guys touching the rock as possible, pick n roll, dive and dish, flash to the lane, etc.
That offense needs the defense to make a mistake or be unalert, but GSW avoided doing that.
I am more of a fan of Dinwiddie than Mavs, and so see his view. There’s too many guards that Kidd wants in— and now Cuban wants another wing. I hope Brunson leaves so Dins gets more minutes! Feels like Dins is just an occasional tool, not in charge. He has really only had one campaign as the man for various reasons. He can work with Doncic, get things on the same page, but that takes minutes and being PG.
ROCKETS get rid of a headcase and get a pick in return.
Decent trade for the MAVS …… Wood is limited defensively, but has a knack for scoring around the basket – something which the MAVS badly needed.
The big issue now for the MAVS, with Boban gone, who will they call now, when the ball gets stuck by the shotclock ??
Will Houston look to move some of those guaranteed contracts? Or just take the cap hit and waive a few of the expiring contracts?
I’ll take door #2. Doubt any of the 4 are worth a future late 2nd.
It are expiring contracts so regardless of the quality of the player, they could have some value for a team looking to shed an unwanted contract.
And then a pick or cash considerations could be added.
THJr is the contract the Mavs regret. He got hurt and the team is different now, it’s unfortunate. His contract is to long for them to find a taker without giving up future assets. 3/52 is tough, they could maybe ship him out for Fournier once THJr shows he’s healthy but that’s the type of sideways deal I’d expect.
Unfortunately, can’t predict injuries. Hardaway suffered a fractured foot and it was reported that he might have returned to play if the Mavs advanced to the finals. He’ll be a full go for next season. He is what he is: a scorer from the outside, whether catch-and-shoot or pulling up off the dribble. Defensively … meh … his “Defensive Box +/-” with the Mavs last season was +0.2, slightly above league average. Defensive win share was 1.5 in 42 games, roughly half the season. All that to say, I don’t think his contract is an albatross to move. He’s a starting SG/SF on a bad team … a solid 6th man off the bench for a good one. Luka, Brunson and Dinwiddie will be happy to run the offense and kick to him for open looks. If there’s a better fit, Mavs will explore it too.
I keep thinking there is a match with Philadelphia and Dallas centered around Tobias Harris, such as THJ 3/$52 +Powell’s expiring $11M + their trade exception $$ for Tobias 2/$76.8M. Why would Philly do this? They immediately shave $7MM off their cap. Powell’s $11M would also come off after this season. THJ’s contract DECREASES each year, while Harris’ INCREASES. So Philly gets extra cap room, a backup for Embiid, and a scoring SG/SF to throw in the mix. From Dallas’ end, they get their starting PF in Tobias Harris, and makes an already good defensive team better. This allows Bullock to come off the bench and makes them deeper.
you can’t combine a trade exception with another player.
WoooowwWW ….. now who’s been saying this for a yr now……..
A 26th pick first rd. That sucks if you ask me. Wood doesn’t play D. So he’ll fit right in with Luka. All the Mavs need now is Randle ……
Randle >> Dinwiddie n Bertans …
Please ……
I dont think Julius randle is a very good fit with the mavericks but its tempting to get off of Bertans contract. I think Powell and Bertans is something they would probably consider.