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‘Hope I’m not traded’: Christian Wood talks Mavericks trade rumors after Kyrie Irving deal

Wood will play Monday night against the Utah Jazz after missing eight games with a left thumb injury.

SALT LAKE CITY — During their shootaround Monday morning in Vivint Arena, the Mavericks could not officially comment on the blockbuster trade deadline news they made about 24 hours earlier because the NBA hasn’t yet formally approved their acquisition of mercurial All-Star Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets.

But one Maverick didn’t hesitate to discuss his own uncertain trade future.

Christian Wood — who said he will play Monday night against the Utah Jazz after missing eight games with a left thumb fracture — is among the Mavericks’ most likely candidates to move as the team aims to make another deal before the 2 p.m. Thursday trade deadline.

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How has Wood handled the rumors, speculation and unpredictability of trade season so far?

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“You try and stay off social media as much as possible, try and lock in, stay with the team,” Wood said. “Talking to Jason Kidd, Nico [Harrison] as much as possible, see what their plans are for the future. Go from there.”

What have the Mavericks’ head coach and general manager communicated in those discussions?

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“Nothing,” Wood said with a smile. “I hope I’m not traded.”

When asked for his thoughts on Irving’s pending arrival, Wood reiterated his satisfaction with playing in Dallas with superstar Luka Doncic since his mid-June trade arrival from the Houston Rockets.

“I like it,” Wood said, “but I hope I’m still here.”

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The 26-year-old center’s comments echoed what Tim Hardaway Jr. expressed Saturday night, hours before the Mavericks dealt starters Dorian Finney-Smith and Spencer Dinwiddie for Irving.

A streaky shooter with a massive contract through 2025, Hardaway has been included in several iterations of Mavericks trade possibilities this winter.

“Control what you can control — plain and simple,” Hardaway said. “That’s all I really can say. I don’t really want to elaborate on that. As far as I know, I’m a Dallas Maverick. I’m going to ride with my guys and do whatever I can to compete and do our best to win ballgames while I’m here. Everybody knows I love it here. Everybody knows that, but like I said, control what you can control.”

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