In an extensive look at intriguing free agent Pistons big man Christian Wood, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer offers some intel on Wood’s possible asking price in free agency and his potential suitors.
There is a significant disparity among O’Connor’s league sources in gauging the annual cost of Wood. Some speculate that Wood may net a deal in the range of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception – which starts at $9.3MM per year – while others think he could earn as much as $18MM a season, equivalent to the current yearly take of Pacers center Myles Turner with incentives. O’Connor expects both championship-caliber clubs looking to add size and young squads making a playoff push to have an interest in Wood’s services.
There’s more out of the Motor City:
- In other Pistons big man news, James Edwards III of The Athletic tweets that former lottery pick Jahlil Okafor may be a high-scoring, cost-effective option for Detroit. Still just 24, the 6’10” Okafor most recently served as a reserve center for the Pelicans from 2018-20.
- BBL guard Killian Hayes, regarded as a high-level lottery prospect, has worked out for the Pistons, Rod Beard of the Detroit News tweets. The Pistons, led by new GM Troy Weaver, have the No. 7 pick in next week’s 2020 draft, though they may consider trading up to secure a player they like.
- The positional versatility of multifaceted 6’8″ Florida State forward Patrick Williams could intrigue Pistons front office brass. “I’m obviously trying to work as hard as I can every day,” Williams said during a call with reporters today, though he would not elaborate on the teams for whom he has worked out. “My agent and I are kind of keeping team workouts in-house and between us.” Multiple reports have suggested Detroit is high on Williams.
Once the Hawks realize they’re out on Ingram (because NOLA will be matching any offer), I can see them making a $10-$18mil a year offer to Wood.
I’m not so sure the Hawks will be in on Wood. They already have Collins and Capela. Plus, then they also have Fernando, Dedmon, and Jones.
Although, while those are a hefty number of bigs, Wood could offer them a different type of big, seeing as the majority of those guys are Centers. Wood could work as a versatile 4, and he’d fit in nicely alongside a four man rotation of Collins, Capela, and Fernando..
Still though, I could easily see a team with a more pressing need in n their front court snatching up Wood.
If you look at Wood’s per48 numbers the past season and a half or so, his stats are absurdly great. Even so, I’m sure teams are still going to be somewhat weary of giving him a Turner-like deal, just because he has yet to sustain those type of numbers for an extended period of time.
I mean, just because he can put up those n UK numbers in 20 mpg, doesnt mean he would necessarily nearly double them averaging 35 or so mpg..Wood will definitely be one of the more intriguing follows notnonly to see what kind of contract he gets, but also to see how he performs with a larger role moving forward.
Wood seems like a legit stretch four, that can still get you some buckets inside, and that can still alter and disrupt shots down low. Those players are quickly becoming some of the most valuable in today’s NBA, so if he even further continues to develop and get better, he could prove to be a steal..
3 months ago I predicted that Knicks offer 3 years 60 million with team option for Wood
Nets and Warriors can’t accept sign and trade
Heat and Lakers can do SNT
The Warriors do have a pretty hefty trade exception still ik n their back pocket..
So, why wouldnt the Warriors be able to do a sign and trade, if they really wanted to acquire Wood??
Couldn’t say Detroit sign Woods, for 16-17mil, or whatever the size of the Warriors trade exemption is, and the Detroit trade Woods over to the Warriors for a 2nd round pick and Poole or something??
The warriors would be hard capped if they do a sign and trade, which means they would not be able to spend more than 6 million above the tax threshold. They would be forced to trade a high paid player to get under that cap limit
Okafor was a beast for 1 season hahaha
As a rookie he averaged 17.5-7-1.2 and 1.2 blocks and that’s in 30 mins.
To put that into perspective, this year 17.5 points would’ve been good for fourth most by a centre. More than Gobert, Whiteside, Turner and Ibaka.
His 7.5 boards this year would’ve been more than Dwight Howard, Turner, Zeller and BLopez.
And his blocks per game would’ve ranked him ahead of Howard, Adams, Jordan, Jokic, Vive and many others.
Not that Okafor is at that level or even a starter I just think at 24 he’s still got a lot to give.
Think he would be a great option for the Pistons if Wood leaves, otherwise he could be a fit at, OKC, Washington, GSW or the Jazz
Well said! I agree completely!
The only reason he had good stats as a rookie is because Brett brown force fed the offense through him. They did the same thing with MCW. Both players are average at best. You put okafor in starter minutes and you will regret it. He doesn’t play defense and is a below average rebounder
Nah I wouldn’t even have him as a starter right now but just off his previous achievements and his potential he’s worth of being a bench piece.
That’s why I suggested teams like OKC Wizards GSW and the Jazz. At OKC is Noel leaves he would take up that backup centre spot and would learn defence and rebounding from Steven Adams and because he’s so young he could develop along nicely with SGA and that future picks.
At Washington again off the bench he could be a decent scorer and with the right development could be nice.
At GSW he’d have to ride the bench a lot but if he could pick up his defence he could be a solid contributor off the wood for them.
Same at the Jazz if he picks up his defence he could be a solid contributor behind Gobert
Keep Wood! He has a bright future!
I hope they keep Derrick Rose. Pistons will be a squad this year I hope!
If you played Okafor next to someone like Ibaka youd be fine.
Why the hell Pistons traded Drummond?
He averaged 17 pts and 15 trb per game last year. Their front office are incompetent and now they stuck with Griffin horrific contract.