NBA teams rarely pass up on talent. After all, what matters more than talent? Nothing. Intangibles count. Team chemistry counts. Still, nothing wins NBA games as consistently as talent does.
For some, that makes Christian Wood’s presence in free agency confusing. Wood is clearly talented. Shouldn’t an NBA team have committed a contract to him by now?
Well, talent isn’t everything. Wood has developed a reputation for playing lackadaisical defense. He doesn’t always seem to work in a team structure. Wood can be a problematic player. Here are three teams that we think should take a risk on him anyway.
Los Angeles Lakers
Meanwhile, teams don’t just broadly need talent. Let’s get a little more specific. Some teams, for example, might need frontcourt spacing. The Los Angeles Lakers, for example, could badly use a big man who spaces the floor.
Wood does that. In fact, he’s among the most consistent three-point shooting bigs in the NBA. His ability to either roll or pop out of pick-and-roll sets will complement LeBron James as a playmaker.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Christian Wood, Dallas Mavericks & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Provided, of course, that James feels he can work with Wood. Once again – this is a player who sometimes struggles to fit into the bigger picture. If James isn’t interested in giving him a shot, he may compel the Lakers’ front office to pass. Could another Western Conference team have an interest?
Sacramento Kings
Some folks were surprised when the Dallas Mavericks tried to use Wood as a sixth man. They shouldn’t have been. An offensively-gifted, defensively challenged player often makes for a good sixth man. Why not Wood? Sure, we usually think of a guard in this role, but there’s no rule against a big man filling it.
Especially a combo big. Wood is useful in that sense as well. He can play the 4 alongside Domantas Sabonis, as well as backing him up at the 5.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Christian Wood, Dallas Mavericks & Sacramento Kings Updates
With that said, the Sacramento Kings could have their own reservations. This team already had an elite offense last year. It was on the defensive end that they struggled, and Wood isn’t helpful there. Is there a team in need of an offensive boost?
Brooklyn Nets
Finding a suitor for Wood is a little difficult. He may not be an ideal influence on a group of younger players. With that said, true title contenders could grow weary of him as well. Wood is probably best suited to play for a competitive, scrappy team.
That sounds like the Brooklyn Nets to us. This team has no incentive to lose, as they owe their upcoming first-round pick to the Houston Rockets. With that in mind, they should be looking for avenues to upgrade their roster.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Christian Wood, Dallas Mavericks & Brooklyn Nets Updates
Wood would be a sensible backup to Nicolas Claxton. Where he struggles on defense, Claxton doesn’t space the floor. Together, the two big men would offset each other’s weaknesses nicely. That might be too much talent at the five for the Nets to resist.
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