The Houston Rockets have been arguably the worst team in the NBA this season over a quarter of the way through. In the early stages of the rebuilding process, they are a prime candidate to trade veteran players for more assets.
A key storyline for the Rockets has been the ongoing John Wall saga where he’s being held out despite being healthy as the team works to get a trade that is unlikely to ever come. There has been lesser focus placed on veterans like Eric Gordon and DJ Augustin potentially being moved, too.
Now, there’s a new development in Houston ahead of the NBA trade deadline. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Rockets are expected to receive ‘significant’ trade interest regarding Christian Wood and the team ‘will entertain offers’ that are made.
“There is an expectation around the NBA that Christian Wood, who’s in the second season of a three-year contract, will receive significant trade interest and that Houston will entertain offers.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Rockets-Thunder Trade Lands Christian Wood In OKC
One of the points O’Connor made adds interesting context to the situation overall. Wood is signed through just the 2020-23 season and came to the Rockets large in part to be able to play with James Harden, who barely was a member of the team during his tenure before ultimately forcing his way out of town.
“Wood is only 26, so Houston could keep him, but he’s no sure thing to stay come 2023; one of the reasons he signed with the Rockets over other interested teams was to play with James Harden, and Harden is long gone. Wood can offer a lot more to a team with playoff hopes than he can to the Rockets.”
There’s little reason for Christian Wood to want to stay with the Houston Rockets long-term unless there were some serious strides made in the development of the young backcourt pieces in Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. However, there’d need to be more talent brought in even well beyond that
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Rockets-Thunder Trade Lands Christian Wood In OKC
In his second season with the Houston Rockets, Christian Wood is posting averages of 16.4 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while going 46.1% from the floor and 33.3% from beyond the arc. His production will be of interest to no shortage of teams around the league.
