The Los Angeles Lakers are interested in Christian Wood and Bismack Biyombo for their 14th roster spot, according to NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
The Lakers want to add another big man behind Anthony Davis and Jaxson Hayes. The team had interest in Dario Saric before he joined the Golden State Warriors.
“Centers Christian Wood and Bismack Biyombo are in consideration for that 14th roster spot, according to team sources not authorized to speak publicly on the matter,” Buha wrote. “The Lakers had interest in Dario Saric before he signed with the Golden State Warriors earlier this week, those sources said. Pelinka clarified that Los Angeles is hoping to find a player that is different than Hayes from a skill-set perspective.”
Wood averaged 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Dallas Mavericks last season while shooting 51.5% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 77.2% from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, Biyombo put up 4.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game with the Phoenix Suns while shooting 57.8% overall.
The Mavericks will not re-sign Wood and the Suns are not expected to bring Biyombo back.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Christian Wood, Bismack Biyombo & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers got swept by the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Finals. General manager Rob Pelinka re-signed D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura and signed Hayes, Gabe Vincent, Cam Reddish and Taurean Prince in free agency. Many NBA insiders believe the purple and gold had a terrific offseason.
The Lakers are expected to start Russell, Reaves, Hachimura, Davis and LeBron James next season. James is expected to be back in 2023-24 despite telling reporters after the Nuggets series he might retire, per Buha.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Christian Wood, Bismack Biyombo & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
“Though there has been no formal announcement yet, the Lakers continue to operate as if James will be back next season, despite him hinting at the possibility of retirement in a news conference following the Lakers’ season-ending Game 4 defeat to Denver in the West finals,” Buha wrote.
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