NBA Rumors: Nets Refused to Take Christian Wood from Mavericks in Kyrie Irving Trade

The Dallas Mavericks achieved their goal of adding a superstar player next to Luka Dončić when they acquired point guard Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets, but the team reportedly didn't get all of its wishes granted in the deal.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Nets turned down the Mavs' offer to include power forward Christian Wood in the trade.

"The Nets refused Dallas' attempts to ship them Christian Wood's expiring contract or one of its less palatable long-term deals held by Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dāvis Bertāns," Stein wrote.

The Mavs also acquired veteran power forward Markieff Morris in the deal for Irving. Dallas sent point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, forward Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick, and two second-round picks in 2027 and 2029 to Brooklyn in the trade.

Wood is currently sidelined with a fractured thumb, though he's considered questionable for Monday's game against the Utah Jazz. If he's able to suit up for the contest, it would be his first appearance since Jan. 18.

The Mavs acquired Wood from the Houston Rockets in a trade in June, but he hasn't become the secondary star the team was hoping for. In 42 games with 17 starts, the 27-year-old averaged 18.4 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 53.5 percent from the field. At the time of his injury, he had seen more time in the starting lineup after opening the season in the sixth-man role.

With Wood set to become a free agent this summer, the Mavs run the risk of losing him for nothing on the open market. It would be another nightmare scenario after Dallas let rising point guard Jalen Brunson depart as a free agent to sign with the New York Knicks last season. It appears the team doesn't believe Wood is a long-term piece, making him expendable ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

At 28-26, the Mavs are hoping to vault into title contention with their recent moves. It was also reported on Sunday that Dallas isn't done exploring trade options, so it will be interesting to see what other deals are made to potentially improve the roster.