The NBA offseason hasn’t even officially begun, but the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets have reportedly agreed to a significant trade.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Houston is sending Christian Wood to Dallas for Boban Marjanovic, Sterling Brown, Trey Burke, Marquese Chriss, and the No. 26 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
Wood emerged as a top young talent for the Rockets, averaging 17.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game this season. Meanwhile, none of the players going to Houston made much of an impact in Dallas.
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is among many onlookers confused by a seemingly light return in a quality for quantity exchange.
Is this the whole trade? What else did the rockets get? Wait that’s it? https://t.co/pFRSVEyDNG
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) June 16, 2022
Thats what Christian Wood trade value was at???
— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) June 16, 2022
this is one of those 2K trades where you just keep adding 64 OVR players til you break the algorithm and the computer accepts https://t.co/ENXSaThDKZ
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) June 16, 2022
Looks like the type of trade to happen in a Fantasy Football league. https://t.co/dtJl2qV5p5
— Ku (@KuKhahil) June 16, 2022
The Rockets just did the Mavericks a favor because someone somewhere has to have a better offer. Christian Wood is a fringe all star. You trade him in his prime for expendable players and pick No. 26? https://t.co/S56VXIv0OX
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) June 16, 2022
His colleague, Kevin O’Connor, believes the Mavericks will unleash the “the best version” of Wood in a contract year playing alongside superstar Luka Doncic.
We’re about to see the best version of Christian Wood with Luka Doncic. Wood can finish lobs like Dwight Powell or pop for 3s like Maxi Kleber, and attack off the dribble better than them both. It’s a contract year so he’s gonna be hustling all year on defense too. Huge addition. https://t.co/6H3cpr40KG
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 16, 2022
As explained by ESPN’s Tim McMahon, the Rockets acquired multiple players on expiring contracts and an extra first-round pick to help build a brighter future around their No. 3 selection, likely a big man who will replace Wood.
Rockets were looking to move Christian Wood to clear playing time for Alperen Sengun and likely the No. 3 overall pick, whether that’s Paolo Banchero or Chet Holmgren. They pounced on chance to acquire a first-round pick (and no long-term salary) in the process.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 16, 2022
The Rockets are looking ahead by building more flexibility, while the Mavericks added a major contributor who may help them take the next step up the Western Conference ladder.