An NBA front office source spoke with Dave McMenamin of ESPN about the Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to sign Christian Wood and the source didn’t hold back.
“If he’s on his best behavior, it could be a good fit,” a league front office source told ESPN. “If he’s not, well, you cut him.”
Wood signed a two-year deal with the Lakers. The UNLV product played for the Dallas 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.
In a statement to Marc J. Spears of Andscape, Wood talked about joining the Lakers. He also called out the Mavericks.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Christian Wood, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
“I’ve always wanted to be a Laker,” Wood said. “I know we can win a championship. Communication with a coach is a big key. Coach (Darvin) Ham and I go back to our Milwaukee days and we’ve had great conversations every day about this opportunity. He believes in me and told me I’ll be playing a big role and knows what I can do. I’m looking forward to this and fasure motivated after what Dallas did.”
After the 2022-23 season ended, the Mavericks told Wood that they would not be bringing him back. The 27-year-old Wood has career 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. The Lakers and Miami Heat were linked to Wood once free agency started.
Wood is a talented scorer and dunker who has All-Star potential if he’s engaged for 48 minutes. He averaged a career-high 21.0 points in 2020-21 with the Rockets. The Lakers are expected to bring Wood off the bench next season.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Christian Wood, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
A source told NBA Analysis Network that the Lakers will likely start D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Anthony Davis in 2023-24.
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