JANUARY 4: The Mavericks have begun talking to Wood’s camp about a possible extension, league sources tell Marc Stein (Substack story). Like MacMahon, Stein suggests the team prefers a shorter-term commitment, writing that Dallas is considered unlikely to offer a four-year deal.
Although the Mavs have expressed a desire to retain Wood beyond this season, they’re widely expected to gauge his trade market if they can’t agree to terms on an extension before February 9, Stein adds.
JANUARY 3: The Mavericks are interested in a two-year extension for Christian Wood, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
Wood recently became eligible to sign an extension of up to four years at $77MM, but the team prefers a shorter commitment, sources tell MacMahon. The most the Mavs could offer on a two-year in-season extension would be about $35.7MM.
Wood is still finding his role in Dallas after being acquired from the Rockets in an offseason trade. He’s second on the team in scoring at 17.8 PPG, and he appears to have developed a chemistry with Luka Doncic.
The Mavs were reluctant to give Wood major responsibilities right away due to long-time concerns about his defense and efficiency. But an injury to Maxi Kleber and a disappointing season from JaVale McGee created an opening for Wood to move into the starting lineup. He’s averaging 19.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game in that role, and the team is 7-1 in the games that he and Doncic have both started.
Still, the original concerns about Wood haven’t gone away, MacMahon adds, and the Mavericks may not know for sure how reliable he can be until they see him in the playoffs. Dallas gives up 119.8 points per 100 possessions when Wood is the only big man on the court with Doncic, but the offense is compensating by averaging 121.9 points in that situation.
“I’m happy to be here. That’s what I’ll say,” Wood told reporters on Christmas Day. “The vibe is good. … I’m open to it.” However, he responded “I can’t answer that” when asked if it would take a four-year offer to keep him in Dallas.
If the Mavericks can’t work out an extension agreement with Wood, they run the risk of having him leave in free agency, just as Jalen Brunson did last summer. They may look to the trade market to get some value in return, and MacMahon notes that the team could have a difficult decision to make with the February 9 deadline barely five weeks away.
Dear Nico and Mark, don’t slow play this again like you did with Brunson. You will regret it. Sincerely, the city of Dallas
For the past 20 years or so, I like Mavs and Spurs GMs more than Rockets GMs.
Pulling another Brunson. Pathetic.
Mavs won’t be able to trade Wood for upgrading.
Wood is a good mix on Mavs. You start him at C. You should look for a D 4. To play next to him. Or like Powell. Wood is probably looking for bigger payday also. And he’s about to be a FA. Mavs could move him ……
Basically if they had someone like Kristaps Porzingis next to Wood right? Or, since he’s an offensive focal point it would take from Wood’s game. So then someone like Draymond. Who could be had at the deadline if the Warriors want to think about reducing payroll next season.
Wood is 6’9 too and should play PF next to a defensive center. Move 6’6 finney-smith to his natural position SF.
Woods needs 2 years closer to 50 million, or its an insult.
The most they can offer over 2 years is 35.7….
Which basically means they need to offer a 4yr deal or none at all.
That is for an extension. Wood can sign for as much as the market will bear as a FA this offseason. Which makes bringing up this extension sort of moot because why would he sign it? Wood has been betting on himself for a long time, I don’t think he’s gonna get cold feet all of the sudden.
Ive been a fan of Cuban but boy his ledger choices have been questionable for about 3 years now which paints him in a corner here albeit not a terrible one
Per Wood, it’s a no brainer with no cap, little exceptions left and little bird rights owned outside of him worthy pending –
2 year time period (ext) makes perfect sense as well as its going to be that long anyway till they are players in free agency
The Trae trade was about the last thing Cuban did that really impressed me
DAL can’t lose Woods’ salary slot after this season. But that shouldn’t mean they have to extend him or trade him in-season. While that’s the only risk free way to proceed, Wood’s free agent market this off season would seem to be fertile ground for a S&T, and, even if the signing team comes in with cap space, DAL should still be able to buy a TPE for a 2nd or so. I can’t think of a taxpaying team that’s lost a salary slot that it wanted to keep, but maybe it’s happened.
Great point in the s&t
*really wish they ( silver) tightened up this form of drop shipping tho, but as it stands yea solid option for them to keep in mind