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

[Kammrath]

Didn’t mean to offend.  I was just trying to quickly point out that the thing so many fear almost has to happen if that is anywhere near the correct number.  Can’t give it to him now and can’t get anywhere near that kind of value for him in a trade.  So, the only option is to wait.

Not offended, just felt like it was a curious line of questioning for me. *shrug*

I think the Mavs are quickly approaching the worst possible scenario:

1) They didn't value Wood from the get go and relegated him to the bench and low minutes and making comments like he was an infantile rookie.

2) They didn't offer Wood the extension right away, not having the foresight to project his talent fit with Luka.

3) Then when forced into a bigger role by injuries (at least in part), Wood begins to shine next to Luka and with the team in general, producing at a great level and handling the duties of center (even defensively) quite well. 

4) Meanwhile word leaks that the Mavs haven't had an interest in an extension for Wood. But maybe are willing to do two years because they value financial flexibility in 2025 more than Wood. 

5) Wood then continues to produce in a larger role and the Mavs own contract evaluation software (at least of a couple years ago) says Wood is actually worth much more than the max extension. 


This is almost an exact duplicate of the JB situation. Slow-playing the situation, missing the future evaluation, making the player feel undervalued, having the player explode in productivity, and then being faced in with an unrestricted free agency situation where you will be forced to overpay or lose the player for nothing.