Mavs' Christian Wood Among Trade Targets for Clippers?

Dallas Mavericks center Christian Wood is drawing interest from rival teams ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline, including from the LA Clippers.

The Dallas Mavericks have emerged as one of the top teams to monitor in NBA trade rumors ahead of the Feb. 9 deadline. 

After a quiet build-up to the trade deadline, Kyrie Irving turned the league on its head within a moment's notice — requesting to be traded from the Brooklyn Nets. The Mavs were among the teams linked to Irving, along with the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns. 

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Clippers are monitoring two trade targets to upgrade their roster: Christian Wood and D'Angelo Russell. 

"I've heard two new names that the Clippers have been monitoring for those respective searches: Dallas' Christian Wood and Minnesota's D'Angelo Russell," Stein wrote. 

The Clippers appear to be a challenging trade partner to reach an agreement with for a deal involving Wood. They are not interested in parting with Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac or Terrance Mann. Without a direct frontcourt replacement, these two teams do not appear to be compatible trade partners, especially when considering that Dallas would be helping a Western Conference rival. 

Wood participated in 5-on-5 action during Friday's practice and had little issue using his left hand, the one that sustained a fractured thumb. In his media availability, he told reporters: "I'm ready to go."

Wood won't play on Saturday against the Golden State Warriors, but is likely to make his return to the lineup either Monday against the Utah Jazz, or Wednesday against the LA Clippers. 

After Saturday's matchup against the Warriors, Wood will have been sidelined for the Mavs' previous eight games since sustaining his injury. With Luka Doncic expected to be sidelined for possibly the Mavs' next two games, gaining Wood back into the lineup will be important.

Wood is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season barring an unlikely contract extension agreement being reached. He is averaging 18.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 29.0 minutes per game. 

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