Lakers big man Christian Wood underwent a successful arthroscopic surgical procedure on his left knee on Monday, the team announced today.
According to the Lakers, Wood will be reevaluated in approximately eight weeks. That timeline indicates he’ll miss all of training camp and the preseason, as well as the start of the regular season. He’ll remain sidelined until at least early November, if not longer.
It’s the second procedure Wood has undergone on that troublesome knee this year. His 2023/24 season came to an early end when he was sidelined by a left knee injury in February that forced him to undergo arthroscopic surgery in March. The veteran forward/center was technically cleared to play in the final two games of the Lakers’ first-round series vs. Denver, but the club opted not to use him after such a long layoff.
After signing a two-year, minimum-salary contract with Los Angeles a year ago, Wood played a limited role for the team in his first year in L.A., averaging 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game (50 games). His shooting percentages – 46.6% from the floor and 30.7% on three-pointers – were well below his career rates.
On the heels of a down year, it came as no surprise when the 28-year-old exercised his minimum-salary player option for 2024/25, guaranteeing his $3.04MM salary for the coming season.
Today’s Wood news is the second discouraging health update out of Laker Land within the past few days. A recent report indicated that forward Jarred Vanderbilt isn’t as far along as hoped in his recovery from the foot issue that kept him on the shelf for much of last season. However, with no formal word on that front from the team or the player, that should still be treated as a rumor for now.
With Wood unavailable to open the season, Anthony Davis and Jaxson Hayes figure to handle the brunt of the minutes at center for the Lakers.
Domino one falls. Here comes my prediction of if the Lakers are under .500 due to injury at the trade deadline, then Lebron and Bronny for Wiggins and Podziemski will happen, with perhaps money and picks to even it out.
Traded to Cleveland
Lakers definitely are the team most likely to have a fire sale in 2025.
The money doesn’t even come close to making sense especially with how the tax apron impacts both of these teams.
I would also like to point out that you said Curry’s play in the Olympics was proof enough that he would take the Warriors not just to the playoffs, but to another title. Im struggling to see how that logic translates to the Lakers and their star players who shined in the Olympics not being able to even be a .500 team.
Seems like you probably just say things to hear yourself speak.
No, I made a cognizant point. One that shakes you to your core, so you respond as if you personally are insulted by someones take, instead of understanding that the Warriors have a massively long bench, like right now there are no guaranteed minutes for Looney or Payton, two key guys from the 2022 title squad. The Lakers have one the weakest benches in the league. The Lakers cannot weather any injuries to key players, the Warriors can. The Lakers are much closer to having to rebuild and do a fire sale this summer more than any other team, especially not the Warriors, who have a young core of potential star-level players to add to Steph and Dray, and a bench that doesn’t end.
Riiiiiight. And that makes the money on that trade work how exactly?
It doesn’t matter how many times you say it, the lakers aren’t gonna do that lmao
I know, its unlikely. But, the dominos have already begun to fall. Lakers have absolutely zero depth, they can’t weather losing any of their best 8 or 9 guys, to which Wood is a part of.
Christian Wood might be the only less valuable Laker than Bronny. His material impact on the NBA was like 20 games for the Hornets 4 years ago. Yes obviously his injury leads to the eventual trading of LeBron James.
Wood should come back and request a trade. I didn’t know he was 6’8 for the longest time. I hate it when they lie on their height. He should never be playing C ever. Strictly a PF
Dude barely played and needed surgery. He’s never been the same since being dealt from H town…