5 Mavericks who are playing for their future in Dallas

4. Christian Wood

Wood is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and he is playing under 20 minutes per game since the Mavs traded for Kyrie Irving. The 6’10 big man is back in his sixth-man role, but Dallas does not need his scoring punch as much with the eight-time All-Star guard flanking Luka Doncic. Finding a place for C-Wood has been difficult.

Wood wants to be a starter and an All-Star, but he also wants to win games. The Mavericks shopped him at the deadline, but they could not find a deal to their liking. What will be his market in free agency? Six teams are projected to have cap space this summer and all six are rebuilding teams, including the Rockets and the Pistons where Wood has previously played.

The Mavs have his Bird Rights, and they could be Wood’s only chance at getting a significant payday to play on a contending team. Is he interested in coming back in his current role? All Wood can do is maximize his minutes down the stretch and hope that parlays into more playing time.

Christian Wood is playing for his future in Dallas over the final 12 games of the regular season and into the postseason. Can he be productive in his current role? Do the Mavs prioritize spending on that in free agency? It is something to watch over the next four months.