Christian Wood expected to get "significant trade interest"

Wendell Carter is arguably having a better season than Vuc so far. Vuc is shooting the ball like rubbish this season. Both FGs and FT's percentage have dropped a lot this season

 

I actually don't think so. The Magic were one of the worst teams in the league at the time of the trade. They had lost 11 of the last 13 games before the trade, most by double-digits, and a few by absurd amounts (37 point loss to the Nets, 27 to the Spurs, etc.). They were 8th the season before, not last year. They were going to tank and end the season with the same record that they did with Vucevic, frankly.

If you told me Nikola Vucevic at the age of 30 on one of the worst teams in the league could be traded for a 22-yo Wendell Carter Jr, Franz Wagner, AND a 2023 FRP, I'd think you're crazy. And if we could trade Wood right now for Franz Wagner and another FRP, I'd take it.

So yeah, I still think that's the model of what you're looking for if you move Wood. Maybe you can do better, but I'm not sure by how much.

And FWIW: I always thought Vuc was one of those guys that put up numbers on a bad team because he got a lot of shots. Kinda like Mo Taylor back in the day on the Clippers. I never thought of him as a real all-star on a contending team. And post-trade Vuc has basically vindicated that opinion, as he has failed to perform as an all-star on an athletic and fast-paced contending team.

 

???
The Bulls didnt benefit from the Vuc trade it was bad for them as Vuc pretty much fell off the map after he got traded. Lonzo Ball, Caruso and Derozan are what turned the Bulls around and that aint got nothing to do with Vuc. Vuc is also already 31 and gonna be even worse.

Similarly, Magic are in a hole because they whiffed on Suggs. The players they got from the Vuc trade (Franz Wagner, WCJ) have actually played great so far and become good parts of the Magic rotation.

If Wood can be traded for Wagner, WCJ and another frp I'd pack his bags and send him off personally.

 

Vuc played well for Bulls down stretch after trade last season.

And is important piece to their success this season. Not the most important part of their success of course.

But he's been much better than Wendall Carter.

And Magic are at bottom of NBA, nuff said.

Wood is better than Wagner. Wagner is a glorified role player.

Magic should of drafted Sengun instead.

SMH

 

Wood is better than WCJ, Franz and Vuc.

He produces even with limited touches, unlike Vuc.

All of you are just trying to justify a trade for trade's sake.

Rockets are not taking back multiple players for Wood, so that trade comparison is moot anyway.

 

That's why Morey always traded those mid tier picks for up and coming young vets or All Stars just past their prime.

There are multiple ways to skin a cat.

 

Most of ya'll over thinking this.

You offer an extension at a reasonable rate (0 State income tax on 50% of the salary helps). If he declines then you trade for the best offer this off-season or if you get a crazy offer at the deadline (unlikely).

 

We literally just started this rebuild. I can't even begin to understand how short-sighted and impatient some of you appear to be. I expect we'll be getting a top 5 pick this year and next and then, when Wall and Gordon are coming off the books, we'll look to make big moves and begin trying in earnest to be a playoff team. And I'm happy with that.

 

I think one has TUNNEL VISION to believe there is only one way to rebuild. There are other ways to rebuild, than through the draft.

With what the Rockets have now in Sengun and Green, I think they are compatiable or better than what's coming out in the draft this yr. I think with our young veterans of Wood, Brooks, Tate and Matthews, our rookies fit perfectly. So we have a solid 7-8 players with 3yrs or less of experience.

Wall, Gordon, Theis, House and Augustine should all becoming off the books and/or traded within the next yr to yr and a half, plus the Rockets have their first this yr and Brooklyn's. So, they have other avenues to strengthen the team outside of TANKING and/or trading their best player.

 

It was stated on this very page. 2023 season. I thought the same thing this last summer. It’s logical and likely what the rockets are thinking as well.

Wall’s contract coinciding with the starting again of picks to the Thunder.

Of that wasn’t the plan Wall would be playing and the Rockets would not be trading Gordon and likely Wood this season.

 

The rockets likely will have the Heat’s pick. Hopefully in the 20-22 range.

 

Yes

 

I haven't seen anything thus far that has me convinced that any of those guys are DEFINITELY going to be a superstar. I want as many chances at that guy in the next two seasons as possible. If we don't hit on a real superstar that can carry a team, we're going to be a middle of the pack team for the next 10-15 years at minimum. And I'm not about that life.

 

Yes, averaging a Double-Double is consistency, but a D-D doesn't deserve a MAX CONTRACT.

Unless he keeps playing AMAZING like hes been for the last few weeks and not like he was playing at the start of the season then maybe i can ignore his weak defense. But against big players he seems to scrub out. A MAX player contributes both offensively and defensively- especially as a BIG.

You'd pay him max...? Dang.

Interested to revisit this at the end of the season. He's very good, he's already improved his rebounding since he's been here. I could be wrong.

 

The word "Max" has so many different levels for different players. Not all "Max" contracts are the same. I think the word "Max" scares fans................hope we never draft a "Max"

 

The story of the Rockets looking at offers for Wood came from credible sources (ESPN's McMahon was the first to report it if I'm not mistaken). This FO is very tight-lipped when it comes to reports, and I have no doubt the leak was deliberate.

A few months ago, the Rockets FO was saying that Wood was the future of this team. That he was going to be the key piece of the future, anchor the front line, and be a perennial all-star for an emerging ball club with developing stars. For whatever reason, that story has changed. I tend to think a lot of it has to do with Sengun's emergence. There's just no way to give Sengun 30+ mins per game with Wood, and the reason they don't play well together has more to do with Woods limitations than Sengun's.

They also can't go an entire season in a developing year and not give a first rounder who negotiated a 3 million Euro payout (of which the Rockets are paying ~800k) and was considered the best defensive PF in the draft no real run. Garuba at some point is going to get meaningful minutes, and the team will have to give him 10-20 mins per night. He is rehabbing right now so it is not as big a problem, but he's expected to return here shortly. Again, he doesn't get 10-20 mpg with the current roster.

If you hold onto Wood through the season, you're committed to him and ponying up for his next contract. I won't be upset or disappointed if the FO does that. Wood's a great player as far as I'm concerned. But I don't think that's where they're going. I think they look at Sengun and Garuba, look at the next draft loaded with talented big men (Chet, Paolo, etc.), and wonder what they do with Wood in 2023 with an improved Sengun who deserves to start, Garuba who deserves more minutes than his rookie season, and a possible top-5 pick who will also need to play consistently. If nothing else, reducing Woods minutes is almost sure to drive him away when his contract is up at the end of the season, at which point you lose him for nothing.

Seeing as that's the case, the good thing is there's a hot market for Wood. Most of the teams willing to part with FRPs are of little value for this team. What use is it getting a bottom-5 FRP? The biggest thing this team wants is a first round pick, and multiple if possible. The teams that will give us the best value for Wood will be underperforming teams desperate to improve their lot in the near term that might stay mediocre with Wood. The Bulls were that team last year. The Blazers, Knicks, Kings, etc. are those teams this year. I see them as likely trade targets, but then again, you never know what'll come your way.

 

Only one holding Garuba back is Silas and Theis.

 

Haa true

 

He's been hurt since returning from the G League. Whose minutes does he eat into? Tate? KJ? Sengun? Wood? There's going to be an odd man out here in order for his minutes to go up. Sengun's hardly getting 20 mins per night right now when he deserves 30. You can't make these changes without someone losing minutes. And that person is probably Wood.

 

Only one holding back Garuba is Garuba