Christian Wood signs two-year deal with Lakers

The Lakers sign Christian Wood, a talented center, on a veteran minimum contract, adding depth to their rotation.

In a significant move, the Los Angeles Lakers have added another center to their rotation by signing Christian Wood to a two-year contract. The news was initially reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN and was later confirmed by other sources. Wood himself also confirmed the deal, leaving no doubt about the agreement.

The contract Wood signed is a veteran minimum contract, which means he will earn $2.7 million this season, the maximum amount the Lakers could offer. Additionally, there is a player option worth $3 million for the following year. While it was rumored that the Lakers had made this offer for some time, Wood was reportedly waiting to see how the Miami Heat situation would unfold after a potential Damian Lillard trade. The Heat could have potentially offered him more money. However, Wood ultimately decided to accept the Lakers' offer before they pursued other options.

Wood is known for his scoring ability, averaging 16.6 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per game last season with the Mavericks. He also provides floor spacing as a center, shooting an impressive 37.6% from beyond the arc. Despite his offensive prowess, Wood faced challenges in Jason Kidd's rotation due to concerns about his defense and a perception that he prioritizes his individual stats over team success. However, with the Lakers' strong team culture led by LeBron James and coach Darvin Ham, as well as the motivation to secure a bigger payday in the future, Wood is expected to thrive in Los Angeles.

The Lakers already have Anthony Davis, who is considered the best center on the team and one of the top centers in the league. However, Davis prefers not to play the five position full-time to avoid the physical toll it takes on his body. The Lakers also have Jaxson Hayes, an athletic center, and Rui Hachimura, who can play limited minutes as a small-ball five. Wood will have the opportunity to earn minutes in this mix, but the question remains whether he can maintain a consistent role.

Overall, this signing is a positive move for the Lakers, who had a successful offseason building on their previous achievements that led them to the conference finals last season. By acquiring Wood, they have secured the best available center on the market at a minimum contract, further strengthening their roster.