Houston Rockets Trade Christian Wood to Dallas Mavericks for 26th Pick and 4 Players

The Houston Rockets are finalizing a deal that will send Christian Wood to the Dallas Mavericks, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The Rockets will receive the 26th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Boban Marjanovic, Sterling Brown, Trey Burke, and Marquese Chriss. 

The Rockets will enter the draft with the third, 17th, and 26th overall picks, and will now have the opportunity to aggressively move up in the draft should they choose. The quartet of veterans heading back to Houston were all bench players for the Mavericks last season. 

Brown, a former Rocket, averaged the most minutes per game at 12.8. Marjanovic has always been a fan favorite, but he’s more famous for his acting than his highly efficient scoring in low usage. Burke, a veteran point guard, could have some interest around the league as a backup. Chriss, also a former Rocket and the youngest of the bunch, will turn 25 in July but has failed to live up to expectations after being the 8th overall selection in the 2016 draft. 

It’s highly unlikely that the quartet of players sent to the Rockets in exchange for Wood will finish the season in Houston if they even make it through the offseason. 

The Rockets’ signed Christian Wood in a sign and trade in the summer of 2020. The three-year $41 million deal they inked him to was a risk considering his limited NBA action. The gamble paid off handsomely as Wood averaged 19.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game on 50.7% shooting from the field and 38.4% shooting from 3-point range over two seasons in Houston. 

Wood, who will be a free agent after this season, will be in an excellent environment to thrive on offense. Luka Doncic is one of the best pick-and-roll playmakers in the league and Wood was consistently dangerous from 3-point range for the Rockets.