Will the Dallas Mavericks extend Christian Wood before the trade deadline?

The Dallas Mavericks are discussing a contract extension with Christian Wood, according to the latest reports from Marc Stein (subscription required). The 6’10 big man is in the final year of his contract and eligible for a four-year $77 million max extension. Dallas has until June 30 to extend his contract, but Stein notes the team wants to get something in place before the Feb. 9 trade deadline or they plan on exploring his market.

The extension is far from cut and dried. The Mavs want a shorter deal that gives them more flexibility in building around Luka Doncic. Wood’s side wants the max as they believe he can be an All-Star. Can the two sides meet somewhere in the middle on years and dollars? They have just over one month before the trade deadline to hash things out.

Will the two sides get an extension done? If not, do the Mavericks trade Christian Wood before the deadline? What happens if neither of those two things takes place? Here is a closer look at the situation before setting the odds on the three possible outcomes this season.

Will the Dallas Mavericks extend Christian Wood before the trade deadline?

Stein notes that the Mavs hope to get an extension done, but the deal must make sense for both sides. He previously reported (subscription required) a new contract was unlikely, but Wood has stepped up his play, especially on the defensive end of the floor since then. Luka Doncic enjoys playing with the talented big man, and that also improves his chances of landing an extension.

C-Wood bounced around the league before being traded to Dallas in the offseason. The Mavericks are his seventh NBA team since 2015. The Rockets signed him to a three-year deal worth $41 million in 2020, and that was his first significant NBA payday. His defense and professionalism have been problems in previous stops, but they have improved in Dallas.

An extension still seems unlikely. The odds have increased given his recent play, but Christian Wood is looking for another significant contract. Would he be willing to accept two years at $36 million? The 6’10 big man likely chases a longer-term contract on the open market at that point.

If the Dallas Mavericks are unwilling to go to three or four years, the deal is less likely to get done. If no deal is in place by early February, do the Mavs trade him away prior to the deadline?