Tag: Christian Wood

Lakers are still interested in Christian Wood, but sign-and-trade is unlikely

Marc Stein reports that the Lakers are still interested in acquiring big man Christian Wood.

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With the NBA at the approximate midway point of the offseason, player movement came to a screeching halt nearly a month ago. However, there could still be a couple of moves ahead.

Damian Lillard asked the Portland Trail Blazers to trade him several weeks ago, and no progress has been made on that front. The Philadelphia 76ers have been looking to trade James Harden, but a deal hasn’t been consummated.

As far as the Los Angeles Lakers are concerned, they still want and need one more true big man on their roster. They seem to be zeroed in on the Dallas Mavericks’ Christian Wood, but nothing is imminent.

According to Marc Stein, the interest is still there (h/t Lakers Daily).

Via Marc Stein Substack:

“The Lakers, after swiftly coming to terms with Anthony Davis on a three-year contract extension worth a projected $186 million, have maintained a level of interest in signing free agent big man Christian Wood, league sources say,” wrote Stein.

The Lakers can only offer Wood a veteran’s minimum contract. There has been some chatter that they could do a sign-and-trade in order to give him a somewhat bigger contract, but Stein says that isn’t an option.

“The Lakers, though, remain limited in offering Wood anything beyond the league’s veteran minimum,” Stein continued. “As I reported here last month, Dallas remains open to facilitating a sign-and-trade for Wood if the Mavericks can acquire a player they like in the exchange, but neither the Lakers nor the Miami Heat are considered potential sign-and-trade destinations.”

Wood is a proven scorer, but his attitude is thought to be suspect. Still, the team reportedly has optimism they could make things work with him were it to obtain the 6-foot-9 big man.

Who are the top remaining options for the Boston Celtics in free agency?

Boston needs to find players willing to take a pay cut for a chance to compete for a championship.

The NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement was designed to punish high-spending clubs such as the Boston Celtics. The idea is to make it fairer for the other teams to acquire top-shelf talent. As a result, to fill out remaining roster spots, Boston needs to find players willing to take a pay cut for a chance to compete for a championship.

With the pool of free agents worth signing getting more shallow by the hour, the Celtics need to look at players such as Hamidou Diallo, Kelly Oubre, Christian Wood, Terence Ross, JaMychael Green and T.J. Warren in the hopes of finding the right role player able to help them win some games on the cheap.

To talk over how that might go down in practice, the hosts of the CLNS Media “A-List” podcast recently convened to discuss Boston’s free agency options.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say for yourself.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Woike: Lakers have internal optimism they could make Christian Wood fit

The Lakers reportedly could be warming up to the idea of signing the talented but risky Christian Wood.

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The NBA has entered the slow part of its offseason. Training camp is still many weeks away, but player movement all but stopped a while ago.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ roster for the 2023-24 season is mostly set, except for the center position. General manager Rob Pelinka made it clear earlier this summer he would like to add another center, but nothing has happened yet.

The team has reportedly had some interest in Christian Wood. While he is undersized at 6-foot-9, doesn’t play much defense and reportedly has a substandard attitude, he is a very capable scorer who can stretch the floor. He averaged 16.6 points a game on 51.5% overall shooting and 37.6% from 3-point range this past season for the Dallas Mavericks.

According to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, Wood is likely still the Lakers’ top choice, and they have some internal optimism they could make things work with the 27-year-old.

Via Los Angeles Times:

“The big question would be whether the Lakers’ structure — headlined by coach Darvin Ham and James — could keep Wood focused on winning while eliminating some of his bad habits and overcoming some deficiencies.

While he’s already played for seven teams, there’s at least some internal optimism that the Lakers could make it work as stop No. 8.”

Another upside of signing Wood would be the fact he could fill in ably offensively if and when Anthony Davis misses games due to injury. Last season, LeBron James had to play very heavy minutes and carry an immense workload while Davis missed several weeks with a right foot stress injury.

With another open roster spot, who should the Boston Celtics pursue to fill it?

In their search for a suitable player, some names have emerged as potential targets.

The Boston Celtics recently waived Justin Champagnie, leaving an open roster spot they need to fill. The Celtics have 13 players under contract and are required to carry 14. So, the Celtics are looking for potential free agent signings to fill at least one spot. They have limited salary cap space, which may restrict their options, but they offer the opportunity to play for a competitive team that has a chance of making a deep playoff run.

Some names have emerged as potential targets. A few of the more interesting are former Charlotte Hornets forward Kelly Oubre, offensive-oriented big man Christian Wood, veteran point guard Ish Smith and defensive specialist Hamidou Diallo.

The host of the “Locked On Celtics” podcast, John Karalis, and guest Tom Westerholm of Boston.com linked up to talk all of the above in the video embedded below.

Check it out for yourself to see where they came down on who Boston ought to be pursuing.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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There is reportedly momentum for Christian Wood joining the Lakers

Lauren Gunn, a reporter who covers the Mavericks, says Christian Wood may be getting closer to joining the Lakers.

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With two open roster spots remaining, the Los Angeles Lakers would love to sign one more big man before training camp starts for the NBA season in late September. Reportedly, their two candidates are Bismack Biyombo and Christian Wood, although neither is a very appealing option.

But there is a feeling that between the two, Wood would be the better option. While his defensive effort and attitude may be suspect, he is a proven scorer and outside shooter who averaged 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds a game while hitting 37.6% of his 3-point attempts this past season.

Los Angeles has two methods to acquire Wood: sign him to a veteran’s minimum contract or execute a sign-and-trade with the Dallas Mavericks, his current team, in order to pay him a somewhat bigger salary.

According to Lauren Gunn, a reporter who covers the Mavs, there is momentum for Wood signing with the Lakers on a minimum contract.

Wood is just 6-foot-9, which makes him undersized for the center position, but he could still give the Lakers depth up front, especially when they go small, while spacing the floor for Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

Lakers have done significant background work on Christian Wood

The Lakers are reportedly looking into Christian Wood’s reputation and negatives as they decide whether to make a run at him.

The Los Angeles Lakers want to sign one more big man to complete their roster for this season. Reportedly, they narrowed their candidates to Bismack Biyombo and Christian Wood.

Of the two, there is a growing feeling Wood may be the better candidate. He averaged 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds a game while shooting 51.5% overall and 37.6% from 3-point range this past season.

However, Wood doesn’t have the best reputation around the league. He is known as a weak defender who may not have the best attitude, and if he were to come to Los Angeles, he’d have to take a much-reduced role while focusing more on defense and rebounding.

It may take doing a sign-and-trade, perhaps with someone such as Jarred Vanderbilt, for the Lakers to end up getting the 6-foot-9 veteran, since all they could offer him as a free agent is the veteran’s minimum salary. There are reportedly at least a few other teams that are interested in snagging Wood that may be able to offer him more money.

According to Dan Woike, the Lakers have done research on Wood, a player who also has some connections to members of the team (h/t Lakers Daily).

Via Los Angeles Times:

“Sources say the team has done significant background work on Wood,” wrote Woike. “Coach Darvin Ham was in Milwaukee when Wood played 13 games there in 2018-19. Anthony Davis played with Wood in New Orleans at the end of that year, as well. Assistant JD DuBois was with Wood in Detroit in 2019-20. Multiple members of last season’s Dallas Mavericks staff have close ties to the Lakers, James and Davis.”

If L.A. were to get Wood, and if he were to work out, he would give them a legitimate scoring option, as well as another 3-point shooting threat that would space the floor for LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The team still could use improved outside shooting if it is to win another NBA championship this coming season.

Report: Chicago Bulls are potential landing spot for Christian Wood

The Chicago Bulls are reportedly a potential suitor for free agent big man Christian Wood.

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After losing in the play-in tournament this past year, the Chicago Bulls set their sights on improvement. They had no interest in rebuilding and instead chose to build up their roster this summer rather than tear it down, which many considered the more enticing option. In turn, the moves they’ve made have helped improve the team’s ceiling.

Chicago re-signed Nikola Vucevic and Coby White and signed Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig in free agency, improving the team’s overall depth. They traded into the draft to select Julian Phillips and signed Adama Sanogo to a two-way deal after the draft. But the Bulls might not be done.

According to Dan Woike of the LA Times, the Bulls are a potential landing spot for free agent big man Christian Wood.

“According to sources familiar with the team’s free-agent pursuits but not authorized to speak publicly, the Chicago Bulls are suddenly viewed as a potential threat that could keep the Lakers from landing Wood.

The reason? Chicago recently gained a $10.2-million player exception because of Lonzo Ball’s knee injury that’s expected to keep him off the court next season. The Bulls can use some or all of that money to acquire a player via trade or sign a player to a one-year free-agent deal,” Woike wrote when discussing the idea of Wood joining the Lakers.

Wood has gone unsigned through the bulk of the free agency period, but with Chicago’s Lonzo Ball disabled player exception, they could have a pathway to bring him on board.

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Lakers could get Christian Wood in sign-and-trade — if they want to

The Lakers seem to have an option to land big man Christian Wood if only they happen to value him enough.

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The Los Angeles Lakers’ roster for the 2023-24 season is almost set. However, they have two roster spots open, and they reportedly want to sign one more legitimate big man to fill one of those spots.

They have narrowed their candidates for the spot to Bismack Biyombo and Christian Wood. While Wood can block shots, he is very limited otherwise on both ends of the floor, and he is undersized at 6-foot-8.

While Wood is also a bit short for the center position at 6-foot-9 and doesn’t play much defense, he appears a better scorer than Biyombo is at defending.

There are other teams rumored to be interested in Wood, which means the Lakers may have to somehow sweeten their offer if they really want him. Reportedly, an option they would have is a sign-and-trade with the Dallas Mavericks, but it isn’t clear if L.A. desires him enough to go that route.

Wood averaged 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds a game while shooting 51.5% overall and 37.6% from 3-point range last season for the Mavs.

Lakers are considering Christian Wood and Bismack Biyombo for 14th roster spot

The Lakers reportedly have two candidates in mind as far as bringing in another big man.

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Even after what most people consider a very solid, if not a great, free agency period this summer, the Los Angeles Lakers remain in serious need of another serviceable big man.

As of now, they have Anthony Davis, who is dominant but injury-prone and arguably more suited to playing the 4 than the 5, and Jaxson Hayes, a young, athletic center who has upside but is somewhat limited.

Executive Rob Pelinka has reiterated the Lakers’ desire to add one more big man to their roster, especially since they have two roster spots open. Reportedly, they’re considering either Christian Wood or Bismack Biyombo for one of those spots.

Via The Athletic:

“Centers Christian Wood and Bismack Biyombo are in consideration for that 14th roster spot, according to team sources not authorized to speak publicly on the matter,” wrote Jovan Buha. “The Lakers had interest in Dario Saric before he signed with the Golden State Warriors earlier this week, those sources said. Pelinka clarified that Los Angeles is hoping to find a player that is different than Hayes from a skill-set perspective.”

While Hayes can block shots, run the floor and throw down thunderous dunks, Los Angeles could use a center that can physically match up with the Nikola Jokics and Joel Embiids of the league, as well as perhaps hit enough 3-pointers to open the court for Davis and LeBron James.

Wood could certainly do the latter, but he is considered a weak defensive player. Biyombo can set physical screens, rebound and block shots, but he lacks any outside shooting touch, and he is undersized for the 5 spot at 6-foot-8.

Could Boston add Christian Wood or Kelly Oubre on minimums? Two prominent NBA analysts float the idea

It is not uncommon for players to elect to sign on a discounted deal for the possibility of a role well beyond what their salaries would otherwise suggest.

As the available cap space around the NBA begins to dry up several days after the start of the league’s 2023 free agency period, players finding themselves on the wrong end of the Association’s annual fiscal version of the game of musical chairs will have to find the best possible fit for their skillset on a contract often much smaller than they were initially hoping.

In such scenarios, it is not uncommon for players to elect to sign on a discounted deal for the possibility of a role well beyond what their salaries would otherwise suggest, which ought to catch the eye of Boston Celtics fans.

And with a number of quality free agents looking at minimum deals or perhaps part of a midlevel exception, NBA analysts have been trying to project where some of the bigger remaining names might go.