On Christmas Day, Christian Wood of the Dallas Mavericks became eligible for a four-year, $77 million contract extension. The 27-year-old finished with 30 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, four steals and two blocks in 38 minutes of action in the Mavericks’ 124-115 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
Wood shot 12-of-17 (70.6%) from the field and missed two 3-pointers. His 12 field goals were a season high. “I’m happy to be here,” Wood said of a possible contract extension after the win. “That’s what I mean. It feels good… I’m open.”
According to two NBA betting sites, the Mavericks have the 12th-best odds to win the championship in 2023. A few sportsbooks offer big odds for the New Orleans Pelicans and the Denver Nuggets.
“I’m happy to be here,” Christian Wood told ESPN. “That’s what I mean. The vibe is good. … I’m open.”
I asked if it should be for four years. “I can’t give you an answer,” Wood said with a laugh before walking away. https://t.co/h2v9FE09Uz
— Tim McMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 25, 2022
In the year In November 2020, Wood signed a three-year, $41 million contract with the Detroit Pistons as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Houston Rockets. Of course, the future was traded to Dallas in June. Now, he is making $14,317,459 in a Mavericks uniform this season.
Through 31 games this season, Wood is averaging 17.3 points, eight boards and 1.5 assists per game. He is also shooting 54.1% from the floor and 38.3% from 3-point range.
Mavericks forward Christian Wood is now eligible to receive a four-year, $77 million contract extension.
Mavericks GM Nico Harrison is likely to offer the sixth-year player a new contract. Wood leads the team in blocks, nearly one per game, despite starting just six games this season. But he is averaging a career-high 2.3 turnovers per game.
Additionally, NBA salary cap analysts are expecting Dallas to offer the former Rocket a $77 million, four-year contract. He will make $17.18 million next season, $18.55 million in 2024-25, $19.92 million in 2025-26, and $21.3 in his final year. Remember, this is a ballpark estimate.
This is the highest extension that Mavericks Christian Wood can offer.
*They are limited by offering a contract starting at 120% of this year’s salary with an 8% increase in subsequent seasons. The total period in the contract can be up to 5 years in the future (counting this period). pic.twitter.com/k36D0NKNoH
— MavsCBA (@CBAMAvs) December 23, 2022
Not to mention, Harrison and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban show just how expensive it is. His 30-point game on Christmas Day was his second of the season. The UNLV product has logged six double-doubles with the team. He trails only Luca Doncini in scoring against the Mavs.
On December 16, in Dallas’ 130-110 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, the wing scored a career-high 32 points on 11-of-17 (64.7%) shooting from the field. Wood grabbed 12 rebounds in addition to knocking down two 3-pointers. He missed just three games with the Mavs, so the front office should be waiting for him.
