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Christian Wood’s lengthy summer time of ready has come to an finish because the floor-stretching heart has agreed to a two-year care for the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Wood and the Lakers made for a smart have compatibility from the beginning, but it surely certain took some time for it to occur as Wood noticed his price in the marketplace backside out to the veteran minimal he’s going to obtain from the Lakers, who, on the subject of price and upside, get an excellent pickup right here.
Wood will make $2.7 million this season, and he’s going to have a 2024-25 participant choice for simply north of $3M, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks. That’s massive for Wood, who can use this season to re-establish some marketplace price if he is in a position to be a productive participant for a contending staff.
Right now, the belief round Wood is that he is an empty-stats, suspect locker-room man who does not affect successful. Why else would a 6-foot-10 heart who averaged north of 16 issues and 7 rebounds in step with recreation on 51-38 capturing splits ultimate season be to be had in September for a veteran minimal deal?
Meanwhile, the Lakers take mainly a risk-free shot at what is usually a big-time contributor. Wood offers the Lakers added big-man intensity along Anthony Davis and Jaxson Hayes, and he can probably be a very powerful in non-Davis mins whilst most likely serving in two-big lineups along Davis as a surface stretcher.
Wood thrived as a two-man spouse with Luka Doncic on account of his capturing talent; he will have to do the similar with LeBron James and Austin Reaves. His protection leaves so much to be desired, however taking part in in AD lineups can probably curb a few of that damaging affect.
And let’s accept it, Wood is usually a higher defender. This is his probability to end up it if he desires to return in the marketplace subsequent summer time and protected a long-term deal. Wood indisputably sought after to protected a larger deal this summer time but it surely did not occur. Once it were given this overdue, that is as just right a chance as he may’ve was hoping for. Now it is up to him to benefit from it.