Dallas Mavericks acquire Christian Wood from Houston Rockets with the 26th pick, 4 players

The Dallas Mavericks are acquiring center/power forward Christian Wood from the Houston Rockets in exchange for the 26th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft and four players whose contracts are expiring, sources told ESPN.

Dallas will send Boban Marjanovic, Marquese Chriss, Trey Burke and Sterling Brown to Houston, creating roster flexibility and adding a productive player, sources say big man.

Sources say Houston is motivated to move Wood because the Rockets are looking to free up minutes for 2021 first-round pick Alperen Sengun and likely the third overall pick. right. The Rockets jumped at the chance to get a first-round pick without taking any long-term salary.

Wood, 26, averaged 19.1 points and 9.9 rebounds in two seasons with the Rockets. He will make $14.3 million in the 2022-23 season (the final year of his contract).

Upgrading center is one of the main goals for the Mavs heading into the offseason after reaching the Western Conference finals.

The Rockets now have the No. 3, 17 and 26 picks in the June 23 draft.