Lakers News: Christian Wood Had Been Waiting For Trade Domino Before Making Free Agent Choice
The Los Angeles Lakers and center Christian Wood finally came to terms on a two-year deal earlier this week. It always felt like the pairing could happen as they were linked all off-season, but now it’s official.
Many have wondered why it took Wood so long to sign with a team this summer, but it seems that he was just waiting to see how other players' situations worked themselves out. He was linked with the Miami Heat, but nothing came to fruition.
Miami has been trying to land star point guard Damian Lillard, and Wood was thought to be heading to South Beach if they pulled it off. But Lillard remains a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, so Wood had to finally decide with training camp starting soon.
“Over the past couple of months, Wood had been weighing the fallout of potential Damian Lillard and James Harden trades, including the possibility that he’d find a situation with a greater role and/or a salary above the minimum, according to league sources. But with Lillard still in Portland and Harden still in Philadelphia, it was time for Wood to make a decision. He chose the Lakers.”
He is a much better player than what he will be getting paid next season, but the NBA teams determined that he had some big question marks. LA got a steal by signing him this late into the offseason.
His defensive skillset isn’t the greatest, but with Anthony Davis helping him, it will make up for some lapses. Additionally, his effort has been questioned at times, but the Lakers felt that it was worth the risk.
“Wood’s defensive focus and effort can wane. He is mistake-prone, which is a problem for a team with title aspirations.”
Wood joins a championship-contending team with the understanding that if he can prove his worth with the Lakers, it will boost his value around the league. He will be their backup center, so all he has to do is play his game and fit in. If he can do that, the Lakers will get a great return on their investment in him.
Are you following us on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube yet? Join the conversation as we discuss the latest Lakers news and rumors with fans like you!
