Sources – Christian Wood joins the Lakers on a two-year, $5.7 million deal
Free Agent Forward/Center Christian Wood has agreed to a two-year, $5.7 million contract Los Angeles Lakers That includes a player option for the 2024-25 season, sources told ESPN on Tuesday night.
Wood gets a chance to contribute to a Western Conference contender and restore his value in the market for a potential free agency return in 2024 — and the Lakers get a talented, big man to help them on the front lines will add considerable versatility and depth.
The arrival of Wood, along with the signing of the 7-footer as a free agent Jaxson Hayesprobably means Anthony Davis will have to play fewer minutes in center this season.
Wood averaged 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game Dallas Mavericks in 2022-23, including a 30-point, 8-rebound, 4-steal performance in a Christmas Day victory over the Lakers.
Wood, who turns 28 later this month, gives the Lakers a chance to stretch the floor up front. According to ESPN Stats & Information, he was one of four players six feet tall and taller to have 100 three-pointers in each of the past two seasons. The others were Nikola Vucevic, Lauri Markkanen And Jaren Jackson Jr.
Wood has averaged 38% on 3-pointers over the past four seasons and joins a Lakers team that shot just 34% last season and ranks 25th in the league.
He comes to Los Angeles after spending one season with the Mavericks and the previous two seasons with the Mavericks Houston Rockets.
