The Lakers are in the market to add another big man to their roster and, on paper, free agent forward Christian Wood makes the most sense, according to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times.
However, Woike writes that factors outside of the Lakers’ control could determine Wood’s landing spot. According to Woike, the Bulls are viewed as a “potential threat” to sign Wood to a contract after being granted a $10.23MM disabled player exception due to point guard Lonzo Ball‘s season-ending knee injury.
Woike adds that the Lakers are only able to offer the veteran’s minimum – worth $2.7MM for a player with seven years of service time – which is significantly less than what Chicago can offer.
Wood is Hoops Rumors’ highest-ranked remaining unrestricted free agent who has yet to agree to a deal. Despite averaging 16.6 points in 67 games (17 starts) last season for the Mavericks and at least 13.0 points per game every year since 2019, Wood is still unsigned nearly three weeks after free agency began.
We have more on Wood:
- While the Lakers are looking for additional frontcourt depth, they are being picky about what kinds of bigs they’re targeting. “We don’t want to sign someone who replicates the skills that Jaxson Hayes has,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said. “So if we can diversify the big position and have different looks, that would be good.” Woike adds that Wood fits that bill and has a skill set that could complement Anthony Davis and LeBron James. In the last three seasons, Wood averaged 18.1 points and shot 38.1% from three. Other floor-spacing big men are available, Woike writes, but there aren’t many with as much upside as Wood. While Bismack Biyombo has previously been mentioned as a Lakers option, the team may ultimately view his skillset as too similar to Hayes’. Other unrestricted free agent bigs who could be in line for minimum deals include JaMychal Green, Blake Griffin and Markieff Morris.
- The Lakers have done “significant background work” on Wood, according to Woike. Head coach Darvin Ham and Wood overlapped in the 2018/19 season when Wood played with the Bucks for 13 games. Anthony Davis played with Wood in New Orleans at the end of the ’18/19 season and Lakers assistant JD DuBois was with Wood in Detroit in 2019/20.
- The Heat could be suitors for Wood’s services, according to Woike. Miami is still in a holding pattern with remaining free agents while it pieces together a potential Damian Lillard trade offer, but if the Heat land Lillard, Wood makes sense as an impact free agent signing who could play big minutes. The Heat were rumored to be in on floor-spacing big Dario Saric before he signed with the Warriors.
- While teams love Wood’s offensive play, there are reasons he is still available, potentially on a veteran’s minimum. According to Woike, sources around the league point to Wood’s subpar defensive contributions, despite his impressive 1.1 blocked shots per game last season. There also may be a disconnect between what Wood thinks his value is and what teams think his value is, Woike writes, along with concerns related to his professionalism. Even though their roster could use a floor-spacing big man, the Mavericks didn’t attempt to bring back Wood after trading a first-round pick for him last summer.
Lakers his name is Javelle MaGee. The fear factor he brings when he steps on the court as well as energy factor is what you need.
He is definite arrow in the quiver for this team.
Old
He s gonna want more than Vets minimum?
He’s not as good as Rusoo honestly…I’d give him a Wood n nickel@ at veterans minimum
he is going to sign with the team that offers him the most playing time. Easy to see since he is a young player that wants playing time more than money or playoffs.
If he was smart he would sign with Miami
Lol you obviously don’t follow the Heat — Jimmy Butler would eat him alive. He is a terrible fit for them. They want players with good work ethic.
Where’s my money?
Fine ill send it post your venmo
If the Lakers get him I think that he can be very impactful, the biggest reason they got swept in the WCF is because DLo wasn’t producing at all offensively. In my opinion Wood can be a nice option for the offense to lean on if the other guys aren’t producing, plus he isn’t actually that bad of a rebounder. His defense (or lack thereof) can be easily covered by AD so that shouldn’t be a problem.
But, honestly, the Bulls want him? Wood is literally just a lite version of Vooch, this once again proves that the Bulls are basically just trying to remain as a play-in team. Even the Mavs would be a better fit for him lol.
It must be frustrating being a Bulls fan. Been a circus for most of the last 25 years.
Only real chance they’ve had since Mike left was the early 2010s D-Rose teams. Since then they’ve had no real chance in the playoffs.
Dallas was actually going fairly well with Wood starting and Dinwiddie still there before they Kyrie trade. Wood was really trying on defense with over 2 blocks a game as a starter. Mavs actually had a better record and were like 4th in the west before Kyrie ruined it.
Wood has to take the minimum on a good team, show his worth, establish a better reputation with play in meaningful games, and then look for a bigger payday next offseason. This is really his make or break year. Screw this up and his career could be over. He really should’ve taken that 2 year deal with Dallas if he wanted more money
Would love to see Wood on the lakers.
Yes he’s poor defensively but so is 70% of the league and your pairing him with either AD or Vanderbilt, you’ll be fine.
He gives you a natural scorer, from outside or inside he can give you 15 easy.
Dlo Reaves Bron AD Wood
Vincent Christie Reddish Prince Hachi Vando Hayes
That’s really the depth chart and if your playing well you’ll get minutes.
My concern would be the point guard position, Dlo is poor defensively and streaky as a scorer/shooter. Vincent is better defensively but much more poor shooting and scoring.
I’d almost rather see Bron back at the 1 and play another forward like Prince or Hachimura. Better defensively and more consistent on offence.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see a trade package mid season for a big name using a bunch of these 20-10 mil deals.
DeRozan on an expiring deal, Bulls performing poorly. What about Dlo and Vincent for DeMare?
Dlo and LaVine in the backcourt and Vincent a capable back up with Lonzo more and more unlikely to return.
Dlo, Hachimura, Reddish and a first for Kyrie?
Maybe Kyrie plays up a bit or him and Luka don’t work. Dlo gives them another ball handler next to Luka, Rui a good forward and a pick.
Idk I doubt this roster looks the same at the end of the season
Kings, bucks and Washington are the only teams he fits
Why are the Knicks not interested in bringing in Woods to replace OB1. What’s the Knicks cap situation unload Fournier and Woods
Probably because he doesn’t know where the defensive end of the court is located. Thibs takes issue with that.
Brooklyn and ATL
Or the kings
Because woods doesn’t want to come off the bench. NY doesn’t have enough minutes anyway. NY needs a all star SF