The Dallas Mavericks have finally opened up hammering their potential commitment with Christian Wood.
According to insider Marc Stein, the Mavs have now “commenced dialogue” of a contract extension with Christian Wood.
Stein reiterated that should Dallas fails to land a deal with Wood, expect that the club will try to explore the trade market and package the big man for a possible deal.
Wood, who was the prized acquisition of general manager Nico Harrison last offseason, became extension eligible last Christmas eve for Dallas. He can earn himself a bag and sign as much as a four-year, $77 million deal with the club.
But as told by ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, the Mavs are only interested to hand Wood a two-year deal worth around $36 million, and a trade can be expected if both sides come up short to agree to their terms.
The idea of a trade by the Mavs is just not surprising. With Wood being an expiring asset and set to hit the next off-season market as an unrestricted free agent, the Mavs can only do nothing but not let him walk for free and not allow another Jalen Brunson situation. The big man can at least give them complementary pieces to contend with Luka Doncic leading the way.
As such, it now boils down if Wood being willing to accept a much shorter deal. Given the rising cap space in the association, he can still position himself after two years for a big money bag. Being in Dallas and enjoying that rare contention alongside Doncic will surely allow him to earn more and elevate his value.
Both Wood and the Mavs can still get a deal done until the last day of the season, but they are certainly looking before Feb. 9 if an extended partnership will materialize.
If not, it is only fitting to expect a divorce.
