The Los Angeles Lakers face a critical offseason in 2024 as they aim to maximize the remaining years of LeBron James’ illustrious career. With pressure mounting, the team must evaluate their current roster before making necessary changes to build a competitive squad. One player they will retain is Christian Wood, who exercised his player option for the 2024-25 season.
Wood joined the Lakers as a low-cost acquisition after a disappointing tenure with the Dallas Mavericks. Despite his reputation as an electric scorer and a potential fit alongside Anthony Davis, Wood’s performance in Los Angeles fell short of expectations. He averaged just 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in limited playing time, marking a significant decline in his production.
While Wood’s contract could serve as trade filler due to its manageable size and duration, the Lakers may also consider keeping him as a backup big man with potential upside. However, the 28-year-old’s underwhelming season may prompt the team to seek alternative options.
Lakers fans were initially excited about Wood’s arrival on a two-year, $6 million contract, given his impressive statistics with the Mavericks. However, his defensive shortcomings, including questionable positioning, lackluster rim protection, and struggles on the glass, led Dallas to part ways with him.
Wood’s inability to adjust to a bench role and his limited involvement in the Lakers’ offense further dampened expectations. With primary scoring responsibilities falling on the shoulders of James, Davis, Austin Reaves, and D’Angelo Russell, Wood struggled to find his rhythm. Additionally, his playing time was sporadic until he underwent knee surgery.
Overall, Wood’s first year with the Lakers did not meet the anticipated standards. His initial plan to rebuild his value with a prove-it contract did not materialize, leading him to opt into his $3 million contract for the upcoming season. Despite the opportunity to explore other options and potentially regain his value, he prioritized caution after undergoing surgery.