The Dallas Mavericks have acquired a powerful degree of play from Christian Wooden after buying and selling the No. 26 total decide within the 2022 NBA Draft to the Houston Rockets to accumulate him within the offseason. 

Throughout the 41 video games he is performed this season, Wooden is averaging 18.3 factors, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 28.9 minutes per sport. He has proven a capability to thrive each as a sixth man to start out the season and now as a daily starter.

Wooden is taking part in within the closing 12 months of his three-year, $41 million contract. He’s eligible to signal a four-year, $77 million contract extension. If no settlement is reached, he’ll turn out to be an unrestricted free agent, however the Mavs would maintain his Chook rights — permitting them to exceed the wage cap to re-sign him. 

Mavs Governor Mark Cuban has favored what he is seen from Wooden throughout his first season with the group. Wooden’s versatility to function out of the submit, shoot from the perimeter, block pictures, and seize rebounds has enhanced their unit.

“He offers us a dynamic that we haven’t had in a very long time,” Mavericks proprietor Mark Cuban informed NBA.com. “He’s anyone who can submit up, make a 3, assault, shut out, block a shot, and rebound. He’s actually helped us.”

The entire ways in which Wooden can influence the sport makes him an necessary a part of the Mavs’ supporting solid round Luka Doncic. Cuban expressed to NBA.com: “We would prefer to hold him.”

There was a transparent synergy established between Doncic and Wooden within the two-man sport. Cuban has seen a rising chemistry and sense of belief in each other with particular influence, significantly in excessive pick-and-roll conditions.

“They perceive one another higher,” Cuban mentioned. “After they play excessive pick-and-roll, C-Wooden is aware of the place to go and what to do. Luka can belief him, and so they can play off of one another. The chemistry has been actually enjoyable to observe.”

Primarily based on the CBA’s limitations, it seems unlikely for the Mavs to achieve an settlement with Wooden on a contract extension. He appears to be glad together with his state of affairs on the group past simply being a productive participant. If the Mavs wish to hold him long-term, they could must be keen to let the state of affairs play out earlier than re-signing him.

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