Christian Wood of the Dallas Mavericks looks on in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 29, 2023. /CFP
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent big man Christian Wood on a two-year, $5.7 million contract, with a player option for the 2024-25 season, according to ESPN.
"It's always been my dream to be a laker," Wood posted on X.
Having made 67 appearances for the Dallas Mavericks last season, he averaged 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.6 triples at 37.6 percent per game. He is one of NBA's four big men who are at least 2.08 meters tall and have made no fewer than 100 triples in each of the past two seasons. The other three are Nikola Vucevic, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Wood only started in 17 games for the Mavericks last season, much fewer than he did for the Houston Rockets in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 campaigns. Coach Jason Kidd used him more as a sixth man who had more scoring duties to do off the bench. That could be his role with the Lakers as well, since the team has Anthony Davis in the starting lineup.
Christian Wood (#35) of the Dallas Mavericks dunks in the game against the Sacramento Kings at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, April 5, 2023. /CFP
There are other reasons for coach Darvin Ham to make Wood play off the bench. Despite his size, agility and athleticism, Wood is a poor defender, both for switching to guard perimeter players and for protecting the paint. Moreover, though he can stretch the floor, he has an irresistible urge to attack off the dribble, sometimes even from the 3-point line.
The purple and gold have LeBron James and Austine Reaves in their starting squad to make plays and, thus, don't need Wood to do that. They will need him to provide good offensive efficiency within the limited time on the court and ease the load on Davis, together with the newly signed Jaxson Hayes.
Wood, who turns 28 in October, has never played in the playoffs in his seven-year-long NBA career.