Recently, the Los Angeles Lakers have been heavily tied to big man Christian Wood. Last season, Wood spent the year with the Dallas Mavericks. It was clear through the course of the season that Wood would not be returning to the team and would be joining a new organization in the offseason.
Visit Site Bet $1 and Get $365in Bonus Bets at bet365. Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Mavericks’ head coach Jason Kidd would reduce his role as a starter throughout the year and Wood would only suit up as a starting player in 17 of the 67 games that he played in. Despite coming off of the bench, Wood would still average a very respectable 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 51.5% from the field and 37.6% from three.
Throughout the course of his career, he has been a very solid player, however, he has struggled to find the right situation for him. He entered the league as an undrafted player and in his seven years in the league he has suited up for the Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, and the Mavericks.
If Wood were to sign with the Lakers, there is no reason why the team would not do everything in its power to keep him around through the remainder of the LeBron James era. He would be the perfect archetype of a player to play the center position for this current Lakers’ roster.
With Wood at the center position, Anthony Davis would be able to play his natural position of power forward. While this typically would not be possible due to poor floor spacing, with Wood shooting a very solid 37.6% from three, this would not be a problem. Davis would be able to dominate much smaller defenders at the power forward position, and it may even force opposing teams to change up their lineups to try to match up better with the Lakers.
It is very difficult to believe that if Wood did sign with Los Angeles, head coach Darvin Ham would not start him. The team currently is in dire need of a big man after losing Thomas Bryant at the trade deadline and Mo Bamba during the offseason. With the Lakers being one of the best defending teams in the league and having elite interior defenders in LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Jarred Vanderbilt, even if Wood struggles on the defensive end, he will have more than enough help around him to pick up the slack.
With all that he would bring to the team on the offensive side of the ball, this seems like a no-brainer move for Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office to make. As long as Wood is willing to take a smaller deal than he likely would get with a noncontending team, it would be an incredible move for both sides if he were to become a Los Angeles Laker.
