Lakers News: Christian Wood's Ties To Current LA Star Inspired His Signing
One of the biggest talking points about your Los Angeles Lakers' 2023 offseason was what the team was planning to do regarding their thin frontcourt. They signed Jaxson Hayes as a backup for Anthony Davis, but other than those two, they didn’t have much depth.
The team was linked with center Christian Wood for much of the summer, and now it’s official that he will indeed join the Lakers. Wood comes with plenty of questions, but his offensive skillset is a major positive, especially for what the team will be paying him.
Wood is no stranger to a few important members of the Lakers, as he has played with Davis previously in New Orleans. He has also worked with head coach Darvin Ham during his time with the Milwaukee Bucks.
“The Lakers targeted Wood as soon as it became clear he’d potentially be available at the league minimum, with both Davis and coach Darvin Ham having worked with him at previous stops.”
This signing by the Lakers is a steal for what he is really worth. But teams had questions about his struggles on the defensive side of the court and sometimes his concentration on the game. It led to him staying a free agent for so long and having to sign for a low amount.
But this is a chance for Wood to redeem himself in the eyes of the NBA. He will be playing for a championship-contending team, and if he can prove his worth with LA, he could enter free agency next summer and get a big contract.
Wood is still only 27 years old, so he has time to continue growing. But the Lakers love his offensive upside. Wood is a true-scoring big man who can space the floor. He shot 37.6 percent last season with the Dallas Mavericks and is a career 37.9 percent shooter from beyond the arch.
This signing is low-risk for the Lakers, but potentially high-reward for all involved. All credit goes to the LA front office for getting this done, and it’s the cherry on top of a very solid offseason for Los Angeles.
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