Lakers News: Pundit Makes Surprising Case Against LA Signing Best Remaining Free Agent
As the offseason continues, the Los Angeles Lakers still have a need at the center position. They are a bit thin behind star Anthony Davis, and the team has been looking to add another big man to the fold.
They did sign former New Orleans Pelicans center Jaxson Hayes to backup Davis, but the team wants more depth. LA can’t use Davis like they did in the postseason, as the only real option in the frontcourt.
The team got killed whenever Davis was off the floor in the playoffs because they had nobody else to replace him. So it’s critical that the front office gets another body in there for the regular season at least.
One name that has been floating out there for a while now is Center Christian Wood. Wood spent last season with the Dallas Mavericks and would provide some nice offense to the table. However, he wouldn’t come without risk.
He is extremely poor on defense and has had his effort questioned at times. One writer for Bleacher Report seems to be very against the idea. Erik Beaston doesn’t believe that the Lakers should sign Wood, even at slightly above the veteran minimum.
"Any big man is going to be counted on to contribute defensively and in Dallas, he struggled mightily. He struggled to stretch the floor and oftentimes looked lost. Some of that can be attributed to the coaching of Jason Kidd and his failure to put him in a position to succeed but beyond that, Wood did not look like the player he was over the two seasons prior, when he played his best ball with Houston."
Getting Wood on such a low-risk contract would be a steal for the Lakers. Even with his faults, he would be better than anyone else that is available right now.
Plus, having an All-Star defender in Anthony Davis behind him could help improve his defense as well.
There is little risk in bringing Wood in as the final piece to this Lakers team. His offense alone could help space the floor and give LA a solid scoring option when Davis is on the bench.
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