Christian Wood cites good relationship with Rockets star James Harden

New center Christian Wood spoke with Houston media members on Wednesday afternoon for the first time since joining the Rockets.

For many around the NBA, it may have come as a surprise to see young center Christian Wood commit to the Houston Rockets in free agency, given the team’s apparent lack of stability in recent weeks.

Longtime GM Daryl Morey and head coach Mike D’Antoni were replaced by Rafael Stone and Stephen Silas, respectively, with each beginning their first NBA stint in that lead position. Moreover, both members of the team’s All-Star backcourt of recent league MVPs — James Harden and Russell Westbrook — reportedly issued trade requests.

But inside of the building at Toyota Center, it may not be quite as concerning as it’s been portrayed by some outsiders in the media. At an introductory press conference on Wednesday, Wood told reporters that he already has a “good relationship” with Harden and believes he can do “great things” with Harden in the pick-and-roll game in Houston.

Among Wood’s comments:

I bring my ability to space the floor. I can put the ball on the floor. I can drive. I think I finish with the best of them in the league. I think I can shoot with the best of them in the league. With James’ ability to knock down shots and score at a high rate, I think I could be a good second option for them.

I played a few pickup games with James. I kind of got a good relationship with him. That’s about it. Also Ben McLemore.”

Having shot 38.6% from 3-point range last season, Wood should be effective for Harden and the Rockets in “pick and pop” scenarios, too.

An athletic 6-foot-10 big man with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Wood averaged 13.1 points (56.7% FG, 38.6% on 3-pointers) and 6.3 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per game in Detroit last season. He is only 25 years old, which gives Houston — one of the NBA’s oldest teams last season — both a short-term frontcourt upgrade and a key building block for future years.

Perhaps the best part is that Wood might not be done improving. After the Pistons traded starting center Andre Drummond in early February, Wood took advantage of a larger role by averaging 22.3 points (56.2% FG, 41.0% on 3-pointers) and 9.5 rebounds in 34.1 minutes per game over the remaining 15 games of Detroit’s 2019-20 season. That’s the form Wood wants to hold, now that he’s joining forces with Harden and Westbrook.

As for recent drama involving the alleged trade requests by those stars, Wood said it was “no concern” to him in his decision to join Houston.

“I’m appreciative and happy to be a part of the Houston Rockets,” Wood said on Wednesday afternoon. “Rafael Stone has done a great job of bringing me in, and I’m excited to join the organization.”

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