This has been a busy summer for the Los Angeles Lakers and it looks like they are not done making moves to ensure they are a title contender again in 2023-2024.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been quite productive in the NBA free agency market this summer. While they didn’t necessarily make a massive splash by signing one of the top-tier players available, they landed several helpful pieces, but most importantly re-signed impact players from last season.
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Retaining Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura were top priorities for the franchise this season. Yet, beyond that, bringing back D’Angelo Russell, and signing Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent and veteran forward Taurean Prince were also moves that helped maintain their elite status while also making them a little bit better heading into next season.
Considering their salary cap limitations it would be understandable if the Los Angeles Lakers were done making noteworthy signings this summer, however, it looks like the organization is taking a hard look at a couple of big men on the free agent market, and one was a productive starting player on a rival team last season.
Los Angeles Lakers targeting Christian Wood in NBA free agency
On Sunday, The Athletic NBA reporter Jovan Buha reported that after adding center Jaxson Hayes last week, “Christian Wood and Bismack Biyombo are in consideration for that 14th roster spot [on the roster], according to team sources not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.”
Buha revealed that the Los Angeles Lakers were in pursuit of veteran center Daro Saric before he decided to sign with the Golden State Warriors last week.
Biyambo is a 12-year veteran that has played for four different teams during his NBA career. The former lottery pick is a solid big man that would add more depth to the team. However, Wood is far more of an interesting option that has averaged 16 or more points per game in four of his last five seasons, including last season for the Dallas Mavericks.
- Christian Wood stats (2023): 16.6 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 38% 3PT
Wood is a double-double threat who also offers the ability to stretch the floor and is a 38% three-point shooter for his career.