After joining his seventh team in as many seasons, Christian Wood has gotten off to a hot start with the Dallas Mavericks and put himself on the radar to become an All-Star for the first time and contend for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.
Following a trip to the Western Conference Finals, Dallas acquired Wood, hoping he’d form an effective pick-and-roll tandem with Luka Doncic and fortify the team’s frontcourt. Through his first four games, the results have been promising, with Wood leading the NBA in offensive rating (134), ranking fifth in net rating (26.4), sixth in three-point percentage (66.7), and ninth in usage percentage (32.2) and rebounding percentage (18.7).
Wood, who’s currently earning $14.32 million in the final year of his contract and will be one of the top unrestricted free agents on the market in the summer of 2023, is also in a prime position to make the playoffs for the first time in his career.
Following a victory over the Nets at Barclays Center, Wood spoke with HoopsHype about playing with Doncic, contending for the Sixth Man of the Year award, why Dallas can reach the NBA Finals, striving for his first All-Star berth, and more.