The Los Angeles Lakers remain interested in signing Christian Wood, according to NBA insider Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times.
Wood, who played for the Dallas Mavericks last season, is an unrestricted free agent. The Mavericks have already told Wood that they will not re-sign him.
“Wood, from what I can tell, still seems like the top choice despite the defensive shortcomings and personality issues detailed here,” Woike wrote. “If Wood is waiting for a heftier paycheck than the league minimum that the Lakers can offer, so be it. But if his market is the minimum, and here in early August it sure seems like it is, the Lakers believe they offer the best situation for the talented big man.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Christian Wood & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Wood appeared in 67 games for the Mavericks last season. He averaged 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 51.5% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 77.2% from the free-throw line.
Wood has career NBA averages of 14.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists with the Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets and Mavericks.
It will be fascinating to see where Wood is playing next season. He’s a talented scorer and dunker who has All-Star potential if he’s engaged for 48 minutes. Wood averaged a career-high 21.0 points in 2020-21 with the Rockets.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Christian Wood & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers were busy this summer. They re-signed Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura and signed Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish and Jaxson Hayes. Los Angeles is expected to start Russell, Reaves, Hachimura, LeBron James and Anthony Davis next season.
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