Another season, another team –– it’s nothing new for Christian Wood.
The Lakers are still hunting for a center to fill their 14th roster spot and Wood, who has played for seven squads in seven years, became a new target after the Warriors claimed Dario Saric on Saturday, according to The Athletic.
“We are actively in the market to add another big,” Los Angeles general manager Rob Pelinka said to the media on Sunday.
Seven-footer Jaxon Hayes signed with the Lakers on Thursday, but the team remains focused on adding depth to its frontcourt pool as well as a diversity in talent down the middle.
“I think dimensionalizing the skills at that position would be important,” Pelinka said.
“So we don’t want to sign someone who replicates the skills that Jaxson Hayes has. So if we can diversify the big position and have different looks, that would be good.”
Wood, 27, had a tumultuous season with the Mavericks and it’s clear Dallas has no plans for a return offer.
The Athletic also reported Bismack Biyombo as someone the Lakers would also consider.
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd toyed with Woods’ minutes, diminishing his role through the season as the two never reached the same page on the big man’s purpose.
Through 67 games, Wood averaged 16.6 points, 1.8 assists and 7.3 rebounds.
Wood did what he could during Dallas’ second-half meltdown that saw it miss the playoffs after sitting as high as fifth in the Western Conference in early February.
A sign-and-trade could be a potential way to get Wood to Los Angeles, but it would likely have to be at least a three-year deal.
Entering his eighth season in the league, the 6-foot-9 center has yet to gain any postseason experience.
The Lakers are likely an attractive choice for Wood who could be part of a contending squad, and perhaps gain some stability from an organization that really wants him there.
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