Christian Wood is one of the most versatile big men in the league. He is a sharp-shooting big man that is also mobile enough to provide some value as a switchable player on the defensive end. He is also 26, and just hitting his prime.
It seems as though there are teams already lining up to try to trade for Christian Wood. Kelly Iko of The Athletic has recently claimed that “teams have been intrigued with Wood in the past”, and added that the “interest hasn’t waned, even in the early weeks of the offseason”:
“I just continue to play my game,” Wood told me that month. “Continue to hoop. If anything, it’s motivation. I know all 30 teams are watching, regardless if I’m in a trade talk or not. Just motivation to keep going. It gives me a little extra step when I step on the floor.”
It’s obvious why teams have been intrigued with 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.
There is no doubt that Christian Wood could potentially be a difference-maker for a lot of teams in the league. A lot of teams could use a player with his offensive skill-set, and even if he is on an expiring contract, he still has some value as a trade chip for the Houston Rockets.
The Houston Rockets could still choose to sign Christian Wood to a new deal, and that could be a solid move. He is still young enough to where he can be part of their rebuild. It remains to be seen what the Rockets will choose, but either option has its benefits.