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

[F Gump]

Keith and others have suggested it might not be in Wood’s best interest to go four years.  He’d be 31.5 at the end of that time. He might be better off hitting free agency in 2025 at 29.  McMahon has suggested Dallas may not want to go four years (might not trust him or might want to keep options open).  Seems the negotiation is between 2 plus 1 on the Wood side and 2 plus TO Third on the Dallas side.

That's one possible way to read the 2 year limit, as a negotiating stance where there's middle ground remaining. Thanks.

There's another possible way to read the 2 year limit, which is that it is NOT a negotiating stance, but rather the only possibility that fits their bigger picture at this time. As I consider how that item was worded, it feels more like the following thinking.

Say that, as with Brunson, they want to shop Wood up until the TDL. And by "shop" him, I don't just mean liquidate him for assets, but also using him as an important piece in a trade for a star (for Siakam? for Collins? etc). If so, giving him an extension longer than 2 years would mean he can't be traded. So, at this time, maybe their stance is they might be open to a 2 year extension -- leaving trade door ajar -- and left unsaid is that they wouldn't want to consider 4 years until TDL passes.

They might even prefer 4 years over 2, in general. But for a deal right now? Could be the limit is not a negotiation, but what's needed to leave the trade door ajar. Maybe they'd do the 2 year. But definitely not longer.