Can Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd get Christian Wood paid?

What role will Christian Wood play with the Dallas Mavericks?

Wood has been a starter since joining the Rockets, but the Mavericks plan for him to come off the bench, at least to start the season.

Head coach Jason Kidd was quick to name JaVale McGee the team’s starting center, and Spencer Dinwiddie is expected to take Jalen Brunson’s place in the starting five. With Luka Doncic, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Reggie Bullock sticking from last season, that locks in the team’s opening lineup.

Wood will be the team’s sixth man, and the primary scorer coming off the bench. He should play close to starter’s minutes as McGee is penciled in for a 16 to 20-minute per-game role. Having Wood as a stretch five could take the Mavs offense to another level. The 6'10 forward is a career 38.0 percent 3-point shooter, and Luka Doncic is one of the best shot creators in the NBA. Could he hit over 40 percent from 3-point range and score 17-plus per-game?

The 6’10 forward will have to play defense and stay engaged if he wants to play 30-plus minutes per game. Nobody is questioning his talent or ability to produce numbers, but the Mavericks need Christian Wood to help them win games, and that might take the 26-year-old a little time to adjust to doing. He will get plenty of shots and opportunities to excel, but will he do it?