The Houston Rockets are a team that could be very active this NBA offseason on the trade market. They have a number of veterans that could draw a lot of interest around the NBA, but the player that could be most popular is Christian Wood.
Wood was seeking an expanded role when he hit free agency in 2020 and the Rockets were willing to give it to him. He had played well in spurts for the New Orleans Pelicans and Detroit Pistons the previous two seasons, eventually locking down a rotation spot in Detroit.
He showed enough that the Rockets signed him to a three-year, $41 million deal. That has proven to be a steal for Houston, as Wood has outperformed that contract with relative ease. He has quickly become one of the most versatile big men in the league.
In two seasons with the Rockets, Wood is averaging 19.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.0 blocks in 31.4 minutes per game. He is making 50.7 percent of his shots overall and 38.4 percent of his 3-point attempts as he can do it all offensively.
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Given his production and affordable contract, it is no wonder that Wood was drawing interest around the league at the trade deadline. No deal was reached at that time, but the Houston Rockets are sure to receive calls once again.
According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, a paid subscription publication, the trade talks have already picked up. Teams are making calls about his availability despite the Conference Finals not even being over yet.
“It’s obvious why teams have been intrigued with Christian Wood in the past. He’s a unicorn of a big man. That interest hasn’t waned, even in the early weeks of the offseason, sources told The Athletic. Wood is talented enough to where the Rockets can’t let him walk without getting assets back if their tenure is headed for an ending.”
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The Houston Rockets have a difficult decision ahead of them to make. They have to decide if Wood is someone that they want to keep as a long-term piece of the roster. While he doesn’t fit the timeline age-wise, he isn’t even in his prime yet as he will turn 27-years old in September.
Players of his caliber don’t grow on trees, as Christian Wood has the unicorn skillset that teams are looking for in a big man. If Houston ultimately decides they want to go in a different direction, they will be able to fetch quite a return package in exchange for him.
