Lakers big man Christian Wood has experienced a setback in his recovery from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN (Twitter link), head coach J.J. Redick told reporters on Tuesday that Wood developed soreness in the knee during his ramp-up process and will be reevaluated in four weeks.
Wood underwent an arthroscopic surgical procedure on his knee in early September. At the time, the team said he’d be re-examined in approximately eight weeks. That was a little over nine weeks ago.
The procedure was the second one Wood has had 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.
Wood played a rotation role for the Lakers when he was healthy last season, averaging 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per contest during the regular season (50 games). However, his shooting percentages – 46.6% from the floor and 30.7% on three-pointers – were well below his career rates.
While a healthy version of Wood would likely be in the frontcourt mix for Los Angeles this season, it sounds like the 29-year-old won’t be back on the court until mid-December at the earliest. Even if he’s able to return at that time, which is hardly a lock, it will be about 10 months since he has last played in an NBA game, so it may take him some time to round into his usual form.
With Wood out, Anthony Davis and Jaxson Hayes have handled the majority of the center minutes for L.A. this fall.
Seeing Jay Huff ball out today is frustrating, classic Rob, always shooting for the stars to thus land in a landfill somewhere just outside Van Nuys
Panorama City (cough cough)
I don’t know if C Wood was shooting for the stars. Wood had already fallen all the way down to vet minimum guy when signed. If anything it was a discount rack signing.
Huffs a bit frustrating for sure but it’s more the way the NBA system is set up than Rob. Two years ago even though Huff was playing well for South Bay, He was getting beat up when he got NBA minutes and definitely wasn’t sitting in the corner hitting 3’s. He just wasn’t ready yet, and he wasn’t ready with the Wizards and wasn’t getting minutes in Denver after that. Now he looks ready and getting a shot, happens all the time. You can only protect a guy with a 2-way for so long.
Agreed on Huff but giving Wood a 2nd yr player option was crazy
Rob has still operated like a player agent even tho he’s sitting across the table now for years.. Maddening
Right about Rob, yep. His connection to Kobe and Buss means doubtful he ever just gets fired but they could do what some do and let him be pres. of operations while bringing in a specialist GM. Not a big fan of this ‘win now’ with 1-10 and ‘develop’ for post LBJ with 11-15. The yearly two men down on one end and slow develop on other = no depth ugly bench
Wood and Russell are only here for the check. You will never win with those two as rotation guys. Plus their accountability is a cancer for the team. You can’t build a winner in the NBA. When 2 or more of your rotation players are like this.
Why is Gabe Vincent the 6th highest paid player on the Lakers? What a horrifically-constructed team. Sell all and start from scratch.
I hear Nikola Vucevich is having a comeback season and he would look good in a Lakers uniform…just sayin
What would lakers give up?
Vanderbilt, Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and they can send out up to two picks plus a swap. Seems like a decent enough trade for the Bulls, who should be angling to get younger and add spacing. Vando is a great defender who is on a tradeable contract once he gets healthy and is still only 25, Christie has solid 2-way upside, and JHS is a young recent first rounder who still has good potential (Lakers turned down his option for cap reasons, not because the upside wasn’t there). Don’t think Kenecht is on the table, nor should he be since Vuc is a system guy. One unprotected first, Vando, Christie, JHS for Vuc seems like a solid trade.
Yeah that’s a fair return that I’d take if I’m bulls. Was just going to say that there’s no way bulls would take Dlo back despite that almost certainly being lakers fans’ vision.
Honestly, I think the Lakers should keep Russel in this case as long as he’s willing to play the 6th man role. The spacing around Davis and LeBron is crucial, and for all his flaws, Russel is a good shooter who can get hot quick.
Everyone who watches any Lakers games should be grateful that he’s not the primary PG anymore, though. Not a good fit for that. Reaves is a better ball-handler in general and it’s becoming more apparent to everyone else with each passing day. Not even a Lakers fan and it was obvious.