3 reasons why the Houston Rockets shouldn’t trade Christian Wood

Houston Rockets reason #3 to not trade Christian Wood: He is an All-Star

As stated above, Wood was playing at an All-Star level to start the year. In the first month and a half of this season, Wood was one of the best big men in the Western Conference. Before the injury that all but ended Wood’s All-Star campaign, he averaged 22 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.

At the same time, he was shooting 55.8-percent from the field and 42.1-percent from the 3-point line. Let me repeat that, he shot over 55-percent from the field and over 42-percent from behind the arc on over four attempts from deep per game!

Wood displayed the ability to handle the ball, score in traffic, and finish at the rim, along with being one of the better shot blockers in the league. His 1.5 blocks, at the time, were top-15 in the league. Out of the players ahead of him on the shot block list, only Chris Boucher had a higher 3-point percentage, which tells you how versatile Wood’s game is.

Unfortunately, Wood would suffer a serious ankle injury on February 4th vs. the Memphis Grizzlies. At the time, the Rockets had won seven of eight games, and we’re finally hitting their stride after the James Harden drama to start the season.

After the injury, the Rockets would lose seven straight games and the season was downhill from there even after Wood returned later in the season. Even with his injury history, Wood showed that he could compete with the best big men in the league and actually be considered one of the best himself. It is not hyperbole to say before the injury, Wood was a top-five center in the league.

Next: Reason #2