The Pistons will hold Christian Wood‘s Early Bird rights this offseason and will have the opportunity to dip into cap room if those Early Bird rights (which would allow the team to offer about $10MM per year) aren’t enough to re-sign him. That should put Detroit in the driver’s seat to bring back the promising young big man, who enjoyed a breakout season in 2019/20.
However, as James L. Edwards III of The Athletic details, the Pistons figure to face some competition for Wood’s services on the open market.
Edwards points to New York and Boston as two teams that could pursue the free-agent-to-be. A March report identified the Knicks as a potential Wood suitor — they could have plenty of cap room and a positional need if they decide not to bring back Bobby Portis and Taj Gibson. As for the Celtics, they’ll only have the mid-level exception available, but expressed interest in Wood at the trade deadline.
Edwards goes on to speculate that the Hornets and Pelicans may also be among the teams that keep an eye on Wood in free agency. Charlotte, in particular, will have a good chunk of cap room available and will likely be in the market for a big man with Bismack Biyombo and Willy Hernangomez set to reach the open market.
Here’s more on the Pistons:
- Given the volatile nature of both the draft lottery and the draft itself, launching a full-fledged rebuild doesn’t come with any guarantees, and the Pistons’ decision to do so wasn’t as obvious as some believed, writes Keith Langlois of Pistons.com. However, shifting into rebuilding mode was still the right call for the franchise, Langlois contends.
- The Pistons likely won’t be reopening their practice facility until at least May 28, since Michigan’s stay-at-home order runs through that date, as Rod Beard of The Detroit News details. “We’re adhering to that,” head of basketball operations Ed Stefanski told Beard. “When the governor of Michigan will let us open the facility and the league is going to allow the players to come back if they want to, to get workouts. We have plenty of protocols to set in place already, and we’ll be ready when they’re allowed.”
- In case you missed it on Monday, Blake Griffin shared a positive update on his recovery from knee surgery, suggesting he has “basically been cleared for a while now.”
I just cant see Christian wood earning 10m+ having only played great for a half a season on a lottery team. Thomas Bryant was in the same situation last year got a 32 mil contract and now the wizards regret it.
I agree have to be careful not to overpay. Truth is market is good for him. As a Knick fan. Portis was overpaid. Taj who I like was overpaid. Randle who Knicks don’t seem to like. Looks like Knicks will make solid offer. He’s young, that’s a gd thing. The mid level would be enough. Plus our second 1st rd pick. Can get us a solid PF, big. Rumors in NY are they will make offer.
I would like to see the Knicks give Kenny Wooten more playing time before spending big on a free agent like Wood. Possibly if Knicks don’t get a PG in the draft maybe Issuf Sanon could be there answer. Trade picks and players for Beal. Starting five Sanon,Beal,RJ, Wooten and Robinson.
Why would the Knicks be interested?
The Knicks are only ever interested in two things, signing a PF in FA or signing a star in FA.
They already have Randle, Gibson and Portis. They have Harkless who played the 4 in LA, they have Knox who can play the 4, and they have Mitchell who is a young 5.
Why do they need Christian Wood?
Why not target young depth.. like Josh Jackson, Harry Giles, Dario Saric, Thon Maker, Denzel Valentine, Furkan Korkmaz and Derrick Jones Jr.
If I was the Knicks I’d sign Josh Jackson to 2 year 16mil, Dario Saric to 2 years 16mil, Denzel Valentine to 1 year 2.5mil and Thon Maker to 1 year 2.5mil.
Draft in either Tyrese Haliburton, Cole Anthony or LaMelo Ball (really don’t care which) to pair with RJ Barrett in the backcourt. With DSJ, Ntilikina, Valentine and Bullock for depth. Have Knox, Jackson and Harkless share SF, have Saric and Randle share PF, and have Mitchell Gibson and Maker share Centre.
Pelicans interestedin Wood? THEY PUT HIM ON WAIVERS LAST SUMMER! Talk about backwards thinking.
Portis, Harkless, Taj contracts are up. Rumors are Knicks want to move Randle. Knox is still young and has not stepped up yet. Here they have been talking about Wood for awhile now. So I’m pretty sure they will make offer. Just hope it’s not crazy. I would think Pistons would want to keep him.
Wood has been playing well for seeral years; he just hasn’t been a team player. For the stats he can put up, he’s worth more than $10MM per year… prolly for a bad team and a center.