Former Mavericks fan-favorite center throws shade at Dallas on way to Lakers

The Dallas Mavericks needed a new big man badly last summer.

They reached the Western Conference Finals just a few months before, but the starting big man spot was a clear weakness. Dwight Powell started in 18 games during the 2022 NBA Playoffs, and he is obviously not a starting-caliber center.

The Mavs decided to make an upgrade through the trade market as they traded four players and a first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft for Christian Wood. Fans couldn't wait to see Wood on the court, but his time in Dallas was puzzling, to say the least.

Former Mavericks fan-favorite center throws shade at Dallas on way to Lakers

He only started in 17 games but averaged 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. These are great stats, but his overall attitude and inability to play defense seemed to have killed his season.

It seems as if he was unhappy with his role on the Mavs, and there have been rumors that Mavs head coach Jason Kidd never even wanted him on the team. All of this is a bad look, but he won't be returning to Dallas.

Wood signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on September 5 and has a player option after the first year. Since signing with the Lakers, Wood has thrown some subtle shade at the Mavs.

Here's Wood's first statement since signing with Los Angeles per Marc J. Spears (from Andscape).

"I've always wanted to be a Laker. I know we can win a championship. Communication with a coach is a big key. Coach Ham and I go back to our Milwaukee days and we've had great conversations everyday about this opportunity. He believes in me and told me I'll be playing a big role and knows what I can do. I'm looking forward to this and fasure (for sure) motivated after what Dallas did."

- Christain Wood

By talking so highly of Darvin Ham and mentioning he will have a big role, and then saying, "after what Dallas did" Wood is for sure taking a shot at the Mavs and Kidd. Mark Cuban even said that part of the reason the Mavs failed last season was for guys not wanting to play their roles.

He was clearly talking about Wood, and this is how Wood decided to respond. It was obvious that there was some sort of rift between him and Kidd, and now the Mavs will likely never have to deal with him again unless something crazy happens before Wood's career is over.

Was Christian Wood's time in Dallas destroyed by Jason Kidd and the front office, or was he just an awful fit and or a bad locker-room guy?

There is defense to both sides of this argument, so the choice is yours.

We'll have you covered with all the latest news and rumors surrounding Christian Wood and the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, so stay tuned.