Report: Boston Celtics were in ‘hot pursuit’ of Christian Wood last season

The Houston Rockets signed big man Christian Wood away from the Detroit Pistons this past offseason.

However, it appears the Boston Celtics were desperately trying to snag Wood before the 2020 trade deadline.

“Teams called Detroit about Wood at the deadline, per sources,” wrote James L. Edwards III and Kelly Iko of The Athletic. “His efficient scoring in a limited role intrigued other teams like it did the Pistons. The Celtics and Rockets were two of the teams that were in hot pursuit of Wood, per sources.”

The Pistons held onto Wood for the remainder of the 2019-20 campaign.

From the day after the trade deadline to day the NBA paused the season due to the novel coronavirus pandemic in mid-March, Wood collected 22.8 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.

Yet, the Pistons didn’t re-sign the rising star because they didn’t have enough salary cap. Instead, Wood inked a three-year, $41 million contract with the Rockets.

The Celtics used some of their cap space to sign big man Tristan Thompson in the offseason.

In 12 games with the Rockets this season, Wood is averaging 23.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.

The Rockets have a 4-9 record this season.