Christian Wood told NBA reporters during media day that he wants to be on the Los Angeles Lakers for the long haul.
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, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The 28-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, who lost to the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Finals in four games, are expected to bring Wood off the bench this season.
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, Los Angeles head coach Darvin Ham could play Davis and Wood together, the source said.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Christian Wood, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Wood was born and raised in Long Beach, California. The big man and Ham previously worked together on the Bucks.
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