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[KillerLeft]

OK, I'll bite. Imagine being 20 & 10 Christian Wood in a contract year, trying to earn a max deal, as the number 2 guy on a Luka-led team. Only you're in the running for 6MOY instead of All-star because you're behind up a 34 year old career back-up who was promised a starting spot as part of negotiations to sign here. What could possibly go wrong. 

It probably doesn't matter in the W/L column who "starts" but I'm sure it matters to the players and others around the league, the fraternity. Ultimately, it doesn't matter to me much either. Just pointing out how this board will inevitably shift from Wood is a great #2, All-Star worthy guy who Nico hit a grand slam with - to - he hasn't proven or earned anything and it makes sense to take this approach yada yada.

I think Christian Wood will be a really good player, if he's on the roster. I could be wrong. I also think that he either plays too well and wants to get to FA, where the Mavs won't pay - or - for whatever reason, he clashes with Luka and others (not starting?) or plays poorly and will not be retained.

I'm going to take a stab at something a little sensitive. 

I don't want to get labeled a CW hater. When he was free, before he signed in Houston, I was one of like 2-3 people here screaming for them to add him to this roster. I believe they could've.

Now, we all see the talent. But, why has he bounced around? 7 teams in 6 years is not typically a great sign. People in the know aren't really holding back with the hints that he has been...less than professional, so far. I think we might be glossing over that part a bit too much around here. I think maybe the reason he was available in the Mavs' (trade) price range was that basically, not many teams want to take a risk on him at this point. It's obviously not because he isn't talented. 

I'm hopeful that he'll come here and take advantage of the opportunity to play with Luka, as their offensive games should fit like a glove (we thought about Porzingis, too, so don't assume it), but in light of the information that this guy might not even be someone (off the court) who can function in a winning environment, I'm WAAAAAAAAY ok with the Mavs making him sing for his supper a little, rather than handing him the "shotgun" seat of the franchise, riding next to Luka. Honestly, if they had approached the Porzingis situation a little more like that, it might've worked out better. But, at least KP was a gym rat. 

I feel pretty strongly that it's in CW's best interest to accept whatever role here he can get. It's his first (and potentially only) chance to show the league what he can do on a stage that people will notice. If he's the all-star we hope, that will become evident and he'll make it into the role/minutes he wants, and eventually, the contract he wants, most likely.