Free agent big man Christian Wood has signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to multiple reports.
The deal includes a player option for the second season, giving Wood the flexibility to hit free agency again next year if he wishes.
Wood, who is set to turn 28 before the start of training camp, is a native of Long Beach, California.
He attended high school in Los Alamitos before transferring to two prep schools and eventually playing college basketball at UNLV.
After joining the Dallas Mavericks last season and being expected to play a major role alongside superstar Luka Doncic, Wood’s playing time decreased as the season progressed.
As a result, he opted to pursue a new opportunity with the Lakers.
Wood established himself as a starter with the Houston Rockets during the 2020-22 seasons, averaging 19.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game while shooting 50.7 per cent from the field and 38.4 per cent from beyond the arc.
He is a versatile big man who can play on the perimeter and protect the rim defensively.
Despite his success on the court in recent years, it was surprising to see Wood remain a free agent past the NBA Summer League.
Since the start of the 2020-21 season, he has averaged 18.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game while shooting 50.9 per cent from the field and over 38 per cent from three-point range.
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Wood is a modern-day big man who can set screens and shoot from long range, making him a valuable addition to any contending team.
The Lakers showed interest in him throughout the summer and were ultimately able to secure his services.
In addition to Wood, the Lakers have added several other veterans to their roster this offseason, including Jaxson Hayes, Taurean Prince, Gabe Vincent, and Cam Reddish.
The team also re-signed free agents D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura.
With the addition of Wood and Hayes, the Lakers hope to reduce the workload of star forward/centre Anthony Davis and improve their chances of competing for a championship in the upcoming season.
