Rival executives who have spoken to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype anticipate the Rockets will gauge the trade market for Christian Wood this offseason as the big man enters the final year of his three-year contract. However, it doesn’t sound as if Wood is preparing for his exit.
According to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle, Wood expressed this week that he believes the Rockets are capable of taking a real step forward in 2022/23 after finishing with the NBA’s worst record in each of the last two seasons. He also said he has spoken to the team about a possible contract extension.
“I just want to win, try to get to the playoffs,” Wood said when asked if he wants to remain in Houston. “I haven’t been to the playoffs yet in my career. That’s what I’m focused on.”
Wood could sign an extension worth up to about $77MM over four years this summer. However, doing so would make him ineligible to be traded for six months. If he preferred to maintain his trade eligibility while signing an extension, he’d be limited to a deal worth up to $31.3MM over two years.
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- The Spurs are one of the teams mentioned consistently as a potential trade partner for the Raptors if Toronto moves OG Anunoby, writes Matt Moore of Action Network. The Raptors were frequently cited as possible suitors for San Antonio center Jakob Poeltl prior to the 2022 deadline, but seem unlikely to part with Anunoby in a deal for Poeltl.
- The Pelicans have received some calls about the No. 8 pick in this year’s draft and are open to listening to offers for it, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. New Orleans unexpectedly received that Lakers pick due to L.A.’s dismal season — it would have gone to Memphis if it had landed outside of the top 10.
- William Guillory of The Athletic considers what a Zion Williamson contract extension might look like and explores the role the former No. 1 overall pick could play with the Pelicans next season, while Christian Clark of NOLA.com takes a look at five Pelicans offseason storylines to monitor, starting with a possible extension for Williamson.
Wood said “ I just want to win”
He wants to play for Rockets and win
Wood team has the worst record 3 consecutive season
If Wood is a starter, his team always has the most losses
My trade value valuation at the moment
OG = 3 Woods
Once again showing how clueless you are. Besides defense wood had a good year for a horrible team
He’s still not worth OG, even 3 of him
Found silly man’s burner account
Horrible because they can’t play defense. That is what’s holding them back from being out of the bottom of the league. A different coach could change that
If I’m Toronto I’d take Vassell & Poeltl for OG
Well good thing you’re not Toronto and just another random clueless poster instead
Pelicans besides the Zion situation need to add a cheap point guard.
Cheap because CJ Ingram and Zion will be on expensive deals and because for salary matching purposes. That will rule out the likes on Russell, Conley, Brogdan, Wall, Rozier, and so on who could be available.
It likely means looking at a guy still on his rookie deal which can be difficult to deal for.
Now it sounds complicated but I’d go Jaxson Hayes and the 8th overall pick for Jalen Suggs, the 32nd pick and the 35th pick.
Orlando have Fultz, Suggs, Cole and Hampton at the point guard spot and due to this cluster have to play them at SG. And looking at there roster next season two key departures I see are Gary Harris at SG and Mo Bamba at centre.
In this deal they get a direct replacement for Bamba in Hayes who adds depth and competition for the centre spot. With the 8th overall pick they can select a SG to replace Harris, where they should have a good selection from the likes on Benedict Mathurin, Shaedon Sharpe, Johnny Davis, etc etc.
all of that plus having the first overall pick will really help transform their roster and make them a better team.
With those picks I’d take Jabari Smith and Shaedon Shapre then I’d listen to offers on Jonothan Issac for now.
1. Cole 2. Shapre 3. Wagner 4. Smith 5. Carter Jr and behind them Fultz Hampton Ross Isaacs Hayes for now.
Pelicans on the other end of the deal get a cheap young point guard in Jalen Suggs who many thought was the clear 4th best player in the draft last year. He struggled as a rookie in Orlando on a point guard heavy team which lacked veteran help and shooting. In New Orleans he would be able to lean on CJ for help aswell have having a better supporting cast of talent and shooters.
I think he could rediscover some form and have a solid bounce back season similarly to Darius Garland who as a rookie didn’t really impress.
It would turn giving up the 8th overall pick but it would fill the biggest need on your roster with a talented young player and not to mention in the second round you’d have selections 32, 35, 41 and 52.
Pelicans would have a roster something like
1. Suggs 2. CJ 3. Ingram 4. Zion 5. Big Val with DeVonte Graham, Jose Alvarado, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones and Hernagomez making up the bench for now.
The Pelicans probably should she if they can anything for Hayes but as it stands right now I wouldn’t worry about a PG, at least not Suggs. Zion, Ingram and McCollum are better playmakers and Suggs never has really shown any Proficiency from deep.
They really need to have shooters around Zion as he’s going to collapse defenses when he drives and needs outlets to kick it to when he can’t get to the rim.
As it stands I’d go back to what they did at the end of last season and run with Zion at the point. then go with C.J. at SG, Ingram at SF, Jones at PF and Valančiūnas at the center.
Pels have CJ as their starter w/ guys like Devonte Graham, Kira Lewis & Jose Alvarado behind him. Why do they need to give up 2 prime assets for yet another pg?
CJ is a career SG that’s why.
Not to mention Graham turned to crap the longer the season went, Lewis sucks and Alvarado ant starting material
Hopefully spurs can dupe the raptors into taking back keldon for og, a REAL SF.
Everybody talks like OG is a star, he ain’t & probably will never be, unless he makes a huge leap, as of now & looking forward, I rather have Keldon than OG!
OG is elite. Averaging 17 a game with elite D is impressive.
Zion for #1 overall and Cole Anthony. Don’t let anyone ruin your franchise, ruin it on your own. Be a man.