Of all the free agents who signed this offseason, no one had a more difficult path to a big-money deal than Christian Wood, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Wood went undrafted out of college, played for five NBA teams and was waived in China before breaking through last season with the Pistons.
“Coming back from China (in 2017) and going into the G League, I knew I had to step up,” Wood said. “I actually got cut from that China team. They said I wasn’t good enough at the time. That chip on my shoulder from me being undrafted and me being waived from there, I knew I had to change. It’s a journey I wouldn’t put anybody on. It’s a journey I learned a lot from to get to where I am now. I wouldn’t have asked for it to be any other way because it made me (get) to where I am now.”
Wood is reuniting with new Rockets head coach Stephen Silas, who was an assistant in Charlotte when Wood played there in 2016/17. He is looking forward to being part of Silas’ five-out offense, which requires big men who can shoot from the outside.
“I like to get out and run,” Wood said. “I know the Houston Rockets like to get out and run. The way James (Harden) and other guys play around him, I think I can be a great fit.”
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- Brandon Ingram‘s new contract shows the Pelicans consider him as much a part of their future as Zion Williamson, notes William Guillory of The Athletic. Ingram signed the largest contract of the offseason, earning $158.25MM over the next five years.
- Desmond Bane‘s deadly outside shot, along with his maturity and competitiveness, inspired the Grizzlies to trade up to the 30th pick, according to Evan Barnes of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. Bane averaged 13.6 PPG and shot 44.2% from beyond the arc last season at TCU. “He was a guy that kind of rose to the top because he fits so many things that we’re about here,” said Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins. “He’s a playmaker and he’s unselfish. Those are big things we talked about being a together and unselfish team.”
- The Grizzlies signed Pacific guard Jahlil Tripp to a training camp contract, the team announced on Twitter. Tripp won Defensive Player of the Year honors last season in the West Coast Conference.
“It’s a journey I wouldn’t put anyone on” Poor guy probably got 800k to play basketball in China for two months. I can’t imagine how awful that would be.
bitter much?? The guys been through a lot, its his personal journey. You can’t imagine it because you would probably never sniff 800k in your life. Keep hating, loser
Bitter? You’re the one all aggro, and I’ve got more than that in the bank. Thanks for asking.
Gotta love it when someone says “keep hating” in the middle of an angry rant. Self-perspective much?
Right? The point is the dude’s lucky.
I am lucky too…haha!
Sure he’s lucky, but Christian Wood has worked very hard to get where he is. Very few undrafted players in the NBA manage to get where he is right now at this stage of his career. Hopefully he makes the most of the situation and can help his team take the next step.
I bet on Wood as the most improved player this year. 25 bucks get you 1,000
Bane is also 6-6, from Indiana, won 84 games at TCU, and seems to have eyes open in the right direction at all times. Comparison: Malcolm Brogdan. Shoots 3s 40%+ off the dribble or off screens, good smart alert passing and help defending. Minus-2″ arms, not explosive or a man-on defender.
Memphis to playoffs. They keep drafting well. Their pick was actually Woodard, espn#26 drafted #40, defensive 3. Bane came in for 2 future seconds, cash and Hezonja.
I was making light of their bloating FO but whatever they did, did right. They will be also adding Winslow too.
I guess he’s a Late bloomer. Any 2nd rd pick would have to wait three years to get big money. If they are good enough. So good for him. A 5wk run works miracles. He will start now I guess.
What I don’t get is. How does signing a contract bake Ingram as much the future as Zion. When he’s done it for two yrs now. Isn’t it his team right now. Zion don’t get a chef. He might not be around too long.
Because its assumed Zion is the next big superstar in the NBA, talk about unfair pressure..
He basically has to be a top 15-20 guy for several years, or he’s pretty much going to be viewed as a bust or not “worth the hype.”
Hoping he does work, and has able to live up to it, he’s a great young man.
Before the Lakers traded their pick, I was hoping they would draft Bane. I watched an interview he did and thought he would be a good addition. I will be following him on the Grizzlies. I like the Grizzlies team.
Love wood, but im not sold on 1. If he can sustain his level of play for 75 games + playoffs 2. If he’s a winner and not a stat padder.