Christian Wood told NBA reporters that it’s a dream come true to play for the Los Angeles Lakers, the team he grew up rooting for. The big man, who was born and raised in Long Beach, California, also revealed that Lakers head coach Darvin Ham called him every day in free agency. Wood and Ham previously worked together on the Milwaukee Bucks.
Wood signed a two-year deal with the Lakers worth $5.8 million. 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. After the 2022-23 season ended, the Mavericks told Wood that they would not be bringing him back.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Christian Wood, Darvin Ham, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
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, 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, who lost to the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Finals in four games, are expected to bring Wood off the bench next season.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Christian Wood, Darvin Ham, 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. However, Ham could play Davis and Wood together, the source said.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
