Los Angeles Lakers Complete Roster with Signing of Christian Wood
The Los Angeles Lakers have made their final move of the offseason, signing free agent big man Christian Wood ahead of training camp. Wood, who has expressed his lifelong dream of playing for the Lakers, will be joining the team along with 7-footer Jaxson Hayes.
The addition of Wood addresses star player Anthony Davis’ desire for more support at center, allowing him to reduce his playing time at the position. Davis made it clear to the organization that he wanted to focus on other aspects of his game and not be burdened with heavy minutes at center.
Last season, the Lakers fell eight wins short of the title, losing in the Western Conference finals. However, the team has made improvements while keeping its core intact. The Lakers have prioritized players who fit well within their defensive-minded expectations, including Gabe Vincent and Taurean Prince. They have also added young players like Wood, Hayes, and Cam Reddish.
One of the Lakers’ major weaknesses was their shooting, which they have addressed by adding players like Vincent, Prince, and rookie D’Moi Hodge. Wood’s signing is particularly notable due to its timing, coming after previous transactions and the re-signing of their own stars.
The Lakers’ most consequential moves of the offseason were re-signing their own stars, including Davis, Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Rui Hachimura. With a healthy LeBron James for his 21st season, there is optimism within the team.
Wood, who had a strong season with the Dallas Mavericks, could prove to be a steal for the Lakers. However, if he doesn’t fit within the team’s championship pursuit, the option to cut him remains open.
With their reinforced roster, including their latest signing of Wood, the Lakers hope to stay healthy and compete for a championship. The team is determined to make another strong run and bring home the title this season.
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