Christian Wooden is inarguably essentially the most gifted large man remaining within the 2023 NBA Free Agent class.
Regardless of one thing of an off yr with the Dallas Mavericks final season, and no matter how terrible his protection is, he did nonetheless common 16.6 factors, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 blocks per outing.
As a starter for the Mavericks, particularly, he averaged 20.3 factors, 9.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, and a pair of.3 assists.
Final week, phrase emerged that the Los Angeles Lakers had been quietly establishing themselves as a frontrunner for Wooden’s companies. Since then, nonetheless – it has been radio silence on that entrance.
Why have the Lakers not signed Wooden but?
Over the weekend, NBA insider Marc Stein provided some readability on the state of affairs.
“The Lakers have brazenly acknowledged they need one other large and Christian Wooden is by far essentially the most gifted large man obtainable,” he mentioned.
“However the Lakers are clearly restricted in what they’ll provide.”
Clearly, the Lakers have already made nearly all of the strikes they had been planning to make this offseason and locked up most of their obtainable funds. There’s a cause Austin Reaves and his girlfriend have been parting it up in current weeks.
If Woods is making an attempt to money in – he might want to go elsewhere.
That mentioned, there’s something to be mentioned for elevating your inventory as a member of the Lakers. A number of guys have suited up for the purple and gold on smaller offers after which gotten paid later. If Wooden is all in favour of one thing like that, the chance is definitely there.
Particularly with the shortage of reliable large man expertise at present on L.A.’s roster exterior of Anthony Davis.
That being mentioned, no one would blame Wooden for not eager to threat it if he has a greater choice obtainable. Cautionary tales like Andre Drummond loom. He by no means fairly lived down his horrible run with the Lakers.
And Los Angeles, clearly, has explored different potential large man signings as nicely.
The world of faculty gymnastics has by no means been extra aggressive. https://t.co/0DuTf2q4bt
— Recreation 7 (@game7__) July 16, 2023
A technique or one other, it looks as if a digital certainty that Wooden shall be enjoying someplace in 2023-24.
It’s only a matter of the place.
Will Wooden and the Lakers be capable of discover a option to make one thing work forward of subsequent season? A solution in some way will emerge quickly sufficient.
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