Christian Wood, a free agent forward/center, has agreed to a two-year contract worth $5.7 million with the Los Angeles Lakers. The deal includes a player option for the 2024-25 season, according to sources.
This move provides Wood with an opportunity to contribute to a competitive Western Conference team while also allowing him to potentially increase his market value for future free agency in 2024. Additionally, the Lakers benefit by adding a skilled big man who can provide versatility and depth in their frontcourt.
With the arrival of Wood and the signing of 7-foot center Jaxson Hayes in free agency, it is likely that Anthony Davis will be required to play fewer minutes at the center position during the upcoming season.
In the 2022-23 season, Wood played for the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He showcased his abilities with an impressive performance, recording 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals in a Christmas Day victory over the Lakers.
Wood, who will turn 28 later this month, adds a valuable floor-stretching element to the Lakers' frontcourt. Over the past two seasons, he is one of only four players 6-foot-10 or taller to make 100 or more 3-pointers each season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The other players in this category include Nikola Vucevic, Lauri Markkanen, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Throughout the last four seasons, Wood has maintained a 38% shooting percentage from beyond the arc. His addition to the Lakers is expected to address their three-point shooting deficiency, as the team ranked 25th in the league with a 34% three-point shooting percentage last season.
Christian Wood's move to the Lakers follows a season with the Dallas Mavericks and two previous seasons with the Houston Rockets.