THE CRUCIFIX: Cato: Wood isn't thrilled w/ his role...Will depart in the summer

[dirkfansince1998]

Last night was our first win in four tries with Wood as a starter.  It is the third time we’ve won in 13 tries where he’s gotten more than 27 minutes (27:01 last night).  It is totally unfair to try to pin that all on Wood for sure.  But it is striking the difference between when he plays an arbitrary 27:30 or more (1-11) and when he plays 20:00-27:30 (14-3).  There is a big disconnect somewhere.

I think it would be a mistake to pay him more than “super-sub” money.  I think that is something in the $12-$14mm range.  Which team would pay Wood to start?  Charlotte maybe.  Other than that I can’t come up with anyone and they don’t really need to trade for Wood as they have access to cap room this summer.  If he’d take $14mm on a Bamba like deal, I’d sign him between now and the TDL.  If he won’t sign for that, who out there would value him as a long term piece.  Maybe there is a playoff team looking for a rental, but do any of them need the rental worse than we do?  It puts us in a tough position all around.

That´s a good summary of the situation. Mavs cannot afford to repeat the Brunson mistake and let him walk for nothing. But they already have too many "bad contracts" on the payroll. Meaning that they most likely cannot offer Wood the kind of contract he is looking for (not sure if other teams would). And based on the price the Mavs paid in the summer he won´t net a lot in a deadline deal if they decide to sell him.