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.
Hearing some murmurs that there’s momentum building towards Christian Wood signing the minimum with the Lakers.
Reminder that in order for a S&T to happen, he would have to sign a three-year deal with them which I don’t see happening.
— Lauren Gunn (@TheLaurenGunn) July 21, 2023
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.