Lakers backup center Jaxson Hayes suffered a left ankle sprain during practice and will be reevaluated in 1-2 weeks. This adds to the Lakers' injury woes as another backup big man, Christian Wood, is also sidelined due to a knee issue. With both players out, the Lakers will rely on Christian Koloko to fill in at center alongside Anthony Davis, who has been cleared to play after an eye injury.
Lakers' Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent will miss the rest of the season due to injuries, impacting the team's depth and defensive capabilities. With Wood undergoing knee surgery and Vincent and Vanderbilt dealing with long-term injuries, the Lakers face challenges in securing a postseason spot, potentially relying on players like Jaxson Hayes to fill the gaps.
Lakers forward Christian Wood will undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee and is expected to be out for several weeks, after experiencing swelling during the All-Star break. The 28-year-old signed a one-year contract with the Lakers and has averaged 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds this season. The Lakers are currently holding the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference with 13 games remaining in the regular season.
LeBron James and Christian Wood are ruled out for the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Golden State Warriors, while Anthony Davis is probable and Cam Reddish and Max Christie are questionable. Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt remain out with injuries. Additionally, Draymond Green expressed that he wouldn't trade Jonathan Kuminga for LeBron James, highlighting the high regard for the young Warrior.
The Golden State Warriors are reportedly open to trading every player except Stephen Curry, with Klay Thompson and Draymond Green being potential exceptions, while Andrew Wiggins could be on the move. The team is interested in young players like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski, and may pursue Raptors forward Pascal Siakam. Lakers' Christian Wood has been impressive since returning to the rotation, Kings' Kevin Huerter suffered a left ankle injury, and Malik Monk helped secure a victory over his former team, the Hornets.
The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a two-year contract with Christian Wood, adding the talented big man to their roster. Wood will sign for the veteran's minimum with a player option in the second season. Known for his ability to stretch the floor on offense, Wood's signing provides the Lakers with another player in his prime. While he has had consistency issues on the defensive end, the Lakers believe Wood can contribute as a scoring big man off the bench, especially given Anthony Davis' injury history and LeBron James' age. The risk is low for the Lakers, but the potential payoff is significant.
Free agent Christian Wood has agreed to a two-year, $5.7 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, including a player option for the 2024-25 season. Wood's arrival provides the Lakers with a skilled big man who can stretch the floor and give them versatility and depth in the frontcourt. This signing, along with the addition of Jaxson Hayes, suggests that Anthony Davis may see reduced minutes at center. Wood averaged 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds for the Dallas Mavericks last season and brings three-point shooting ability to a Lakers team that struggled from beyond the arc.
The Chicago Bulls have emerged as potential contenders to sign forward Christian Wood, who was originally favored to join the Lakers. The Bulls recently acquired a $10.2 million player exception due to Lonzo Ball's injury, giving them the financial flexibility to pursue Wood. While Wood would likely come off the bench, he could challenge for the starting power forward role and provide a much-needed offensive boost for the Bulls. However, signing Wood would require the Bulls to dip into the luxury tax, and it remains to be seen if they are willing to make a big spending move.
The Los Angeles Lakers are considering signing either Bismack Biyombo or Christian Wood to fill one of their two remaining roster spots for the upcoming season. While Wood is undersized for the center position, he excels in scoring but lacks defensive prowess. Other teams are also interested in Wood, potentially requiring the Lakers to sweeten their offer. One option could be a sign-and-trade with the Dallas Mavericks, but it remains uncertain if the Lakers value Wood enough to pursue this route.
Former Detroit Piston Christian Wood was seen sitting next to Pistons GM Troy Weaver and HC Monty Williams at the summer league game. Wood, who had a breakout season with the Pistons in 2019-2020, is currently a free agent after finishing his contract with the Dallas Mavericks. While Wood could bring shooting and floor-spacing skills to the Pistons, it is unlikely that they will have a reunion due to the team's current roster composition. Wood is rumored to be in contact with competing teams like the Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers may be looking to make a savvy veteran minimum signing of their own in response to the Golden State Warriors' recent acquisition of Dario Saric. Rumors suggest that the Lakers could be interested in signing Christian Wood, who offers size, offensive upside, and rebounding ability. Wood's versatility and potential fit well with the Lakers' roster, and the move could benefit both parties. However, these rumors remain unconfirmed at this time.
The Dallas Mavericks had a disappointing season and need to make changes this offseason to improve their defense, rebounding, rim protection, and depth. Christian Wood, an unrestricted free agent, is one of seven players who should not be back next season. Despite averaging over 13 points with 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, Wood never fully earned the trust of the coaching staff and wants to be an All-Star. The Mavericks are likely to let him walk in free agency.
The Dallas Mavericks' season of absurdity nears its end with a 132-130 overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Although technically not eliminated from the Play-In Tournament, the Mavericks have lost seven of their last eight games and their season's conclusion feels inevitable. The team has tried its hardest to salvage this unexpectedly miserable year, but mistakes, foreseeable problems, and absurdity have plagued them. The Mavericks' stale roster building and lack of depth have been exposed, and questions arise about what could have been done differently.
