<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/lakers-news-deal-with-former-raptors-big-man-after-christian-wood-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers agrees to deal with former Raptors big man after Christian Wood injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Lakers-news-LA-agrees-to-deal-with-former-Raptors-big-man-after-Christian-Wood-injury-1.jpg"></figure><h1>Lakers agrees to deal with former Raptors big man after Christian Wood injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-09-14T14:28:25-07:00">September 14th, 2:28pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-09-14T14:28:25-07:00">September 14th, 2:28pm</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University while covering events like the 2023 NCAA Men's Final Four, the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and the Arizona State men's swim and dive team. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Lakers made a much-needed signing on Saturday. After they <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-christian-wood-undergoes-knee-surgery-before-training-camp">lost Christian Wood due to knee surgery</a>, they <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1835042672253583762">regained their depth</a> by signing former Toronto Raptors big man Christian Koloko, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.</p><p>Koloko finds himself in a nice situation for him. The former Arizona big man averaged 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 block per game in the 2022-23 season. He started in 19 of 58 games for the Raptors that campaign, although foul trouble was an issue (2.2 fouls within 13.8 minutes) for him. Still, there was a lot of promise during his time in Toronto.</p><p>In 2023-24, he missed the entire season due to an abnormal issue. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/raptors-news-christian-koloko-nba-career-at-risk-amid-blood-clot-issue">Koloko suffered a blood clot</a>, which meant he couldn’t participate in any basketball activities. Not to mention, it was a near life-or-death issue. The NBA’s Fitness to Play Panel was the one who determined that Koloko couldn’t touch the court until the issue was resolved. </p><h2><b>How did Koloko go from the Raptors to the Lakers?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Lakers-sign-former-Raptors-big-man-Christian-Koloko.jpg"><figcaption>© Jim Rassol-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>In July, there was a breakthrough with Christian Koloko’s clot issue. His agent (Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports) said <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/christian-koloko-reportedly-nearing-return-to-nba-lakers-frontrunners-to-sign-center#:~:text=However%2C%20it%20all%20came%20to,could%20not%20practice%20or%20play." rel="noopener">that doctors found the issue and he had corrective surgery</a>, according to NBC Sports. Andrews said Koloko is off blood thinners, which is a key to his return to play. Even during the summer, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fDcoCKRNs0" rel="noopener">there was a video that surfaced of him working out</a> in fives against NBA talent. </p><p>The Lakers have Jaxson Hayes at their backup center spot. Regardless of the depth of the position, the injury to Wood opens up a lane for Koloko to play. Especially with playing behind Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis, the former Arizona big man can learn so much. Also, LeBron James can teach the young center some valuable lessons as he makes an impact on a Lakers team.</p><p>His collegiate days are important to remember, as Koloko’s junior year was the best of his career. He averaged 12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and a Pac-1- high 2.8 blocks per game. Koloko also shot .735% on free throws with almost four attempts a game. The physicality, defense, and raw talent shined when translating over to the NBA. Despite missing a season, the Lakers have themselves a possible defensive anchor, ready to swat away shots.</p><p>The Lakers will need all the help they can get before the NBA season begins. A stacked Western Conference makes the journey to the NBA playoffs difficult for the 17-time champions.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Lakers agrees to deal with former Raptors big man after Christian Wood injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/lakers-christian-wood-undergoes-knee-surgery-before-training-camp');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers’ Christian Wood undergoes knee surgery before training camp');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Lakers-news-Christian-Wood-undergoes-knee-surgery-before-training-camp.jpg"></figure><h1>Lakers’ Christian Wood undergoes knee surgery before training camp</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-09-09T13:02:38-07:00">September 9th, 1:02pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-09-09T13:15:34-07:00">September 9th, 1:15pm</time><address><a>Brett Siegel</a>Brett Siegel joined ClutchPoints as a credentialed NBA insider and reporter in May 2023 after previously covering the NBA for Fastbreak on FanNation and NBA Analysis Network, as well as working with Louisville Basketball. From playing to coaching to covering the game as a media member, Brett has been involved with the game of basketball from many different perspectives. Breaking the news of various free agent signings, yearly NBA Draft news and other key stories around the league, Brett is always on the phone, getting the latest news and rumors around the NBA. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @BrettSiegelNBA.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Christian Wood is set to miss the start of the 2024-25 NBA season after undergoing a successful <a href="https://x.com/BrettSiegelNBA/status/1833233077931589673" rel="noopener">arthroscopic surgical procedure</a> on his left knee on Monday, the team announced.</p><p>He will be re-evaluated in eight weeks, meaning that he likely will not resume basketball activities until some point in November.</p><p>Wood, 28, is entering the final year of his contract with the Lakers after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-christian-wood-makes-3-million-contract-decision">opting into his $3 million player option</a> in June. Last season, Wood played in a total of 50 games, averaging 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 46.6 percent from the floor.</p><p>While Wood held a minimal role with the Lakers last season in terms of his minutes and fell out of the rotation at times, the veteran is still an important part of the team’s bench unit. After all, Los Angeles is always searching for depth behind superstar big man Anthony Davis, and now they are left thin with Jaxson Hayes being their only other healthy option at center.</p><p>There has been a lot of discussion surrounding <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-2-lakers-most-likely-salary-dumped">Wood and his future with the Lakers</a>. Multiple rumors suggested that he could be moved in a trade this offseason in order for the Lakers to try and add talent to their roster before the 2024-25 season, yet Wood remains in Los Angeles.</p><p>It is worth noting that this is not the first time Wood will miss time due to a knee injury. In fact, the soon-to-be nine-year veteran missed time during the 2023-24 season with a left knee injury that he <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-christian-wood-expected-out-several-weeks-knee-injury">ultimately underwent arthroscopic surgery for in March</a>, thus ending his season.</p><p>The Lakers underwent some massive changes this offseason despite their lack of urgency on the trade market and during free agency. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/los-angeles-lakers-darvin-ham-fired-lebron-james-anthony-davis-rob-pelinka">Darvin Ham was fired</a> after two seasons with the organization, which led to former NBA sharpshooter JJ Redick assuming the head coach duties in Los Angeles. Redick, who has built a strong relationship with LeBron James through the years, will now look to lead the Lakers back to championship glory.</p><p>Bronny James, LeBron’s eldest son, was also drafted by the team in June, which adds more expectations and attention to the Lakers, as if they didn’t already have enough.</p><p>In Wood’s absence due to his latest knee surgery, Redick and the Lakers will be challenged early on as far as allocating frontcourt minutes. If there were any questions entering training camp as to who Davis’ backup would be, those discussions are now gone. Whether or not the Lakers will potentially look to add another big man between now and the start of the 2024-25 season as a result of Wood’s knee injury is unknown at this time.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Lakers’ Christian Wood undergoes knee surgery before training camp

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/lakers-news-christian-wood-issues-blunt-2024-25-plan-after-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers’ Christian Wood issues blunt 2024-25 plan after injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Christian-Wood-issues-blunt-2024-25-plan-after-injury.jpg"></figure><h1>Lakers’ Christian Wood issues blunt 2024-25 plan after injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-08-24T19:39:49-07:00">August 24th, 7:39pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-08-24T19:48:44-07:00">August 24th, 7:48pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Los Angeles Lakers big man Christian Wood has been faced with adversity and doubt throughout his basketball career. The former UNLV star was visibly upset when he did not get selected in the 2015 NBA Draft, eliciting much sympathy from those watching at home. He toiled around for a couple years before honing his game in the G League. Wood eventually established himself as a key scorer and rebounder in the NBA, but he continues to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mavs-news-christian-wood-haters-nba-free-agency">carry a chip on his shoulder</a>.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-christian-wood-expected-out-several-weeks-knee-injury">Following a left knee injury</a> that required an arthroscopic procedure and caused him to miss the final couple months of the 2023-24 season, the 28-year-old is <a href="https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1827523007511990775" rel="noopener">intent on making an impactful return</a> to the Lakers.</p><p>“I’m back yall ..and I’m coming back next season with a vengeance,” Wood posted on Instagram, via ClutchPoints. This is not the first time he has made a firm proclamation, but there is something different about this promise. Wood knows his career is at a bit of a crossroads.</p><h2><b>Lakers’ Christian Wood looking to send a message</b></h2><p>Despite averaging 19.1 points and 9.9 boards in 109 games for the Houston Rockets, public perception has soured a bit on his level of play. Wood’s defensive limitations have hurt him the most, resulting in him being relegated to a smaller role in LA (6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per contest last season). Making a strong statement on the court this year can potentially earn him more responsibilities going forward.</p><p>This opportunity goes both ways. The Lakers need their bench reinforcements to deliver if they are going to make any worthwhile noise in the playoffs. Injuries suffered by Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood prevented them from getting into a groove in 2023-24. Even if those guys are at full strength, LA still has a steep hill to climb in the Western Conference, but their health could make a noticeable difference.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-jeanie-buss-cites-jj-redicks-vision-reason-for-hire">New head coach JJ Redick</a> should be excited to hear Wood call his shot. Motivation is essential for a role player, and the California native has clearly found his heading into the final year of his contract. Wood aims to remind fans what he can do, and in the process, help the Lakers reinsert themselves as a genuine threat.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Lakers’ Christian Wood issues blunt 2024-25 plan after injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/lakers-news-christian-wood-makes-3-million-contract-decision');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers’ Christian Wood makes $3 million contract decision');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Christian-Wood-makes-3-million-contract-decision.jpg"></figure><h1>Lakers’ Christian Wood makes $3 million contract decision</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-05-07T10:09:32-07:00">May 7th, 10:09am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-05-07T10:09:32-07:00">May 7th, 10:09am</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The 2024 offseason is shaping up to be a crucial one for the Los Angeles Lakers. The pressure to maximize the twilight of LeBron James’ career is greater than ever, necessitating <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/3-early-lakers-trade-targets-in-2024-nba-offseason">wholesale changes</a> for one of the league’s most historically successful franchises. But before the Lakers look towards making the necessary moves to build a contending team, they have to assess the players they have left on the roster. One of those players will be Christian Wood after he <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeAScotto/status/1787878742859169955" rel="noopener">picked up his player option</a> for the 2024-25 season, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.</p><p>The Lakers brought Wood in as a buy-low option after his value tanked amid a horrid end to his stint with the Dallas Mavericks. Wood was an electric scorer who was seemingly a snug fit alongside Anthony Davis. However, Wood didn’t exactly move the needle for the Lakers as he averaged just 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game — his worst output in years.</p><p>At the very least, the Lakers could use Wood’s contract as filler in potential trades; his contract isn’t big at all, and his deal only runs for one more season. The Purple and Gold could keep him, as there are few higher-upside options available on the market who would willingly take a role as a backup big, but this past season was a disappointing one for the 28-year old and it won’t be too surprising if the Lakers are itching to move on.</p><h2><b>Christian Wood was not the answer</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lakers-forward-LeBron-James-23-celebrates-with-forward-Christian-Wood-35.jpg"></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/christian-wood-joining-forces-with-lakers-lebron-james-has-x-erupting">Lakers fans hyped up</a> the arrival of Christian Wood on a two-year, $6 million deal last offseason, and for understandable reason. After all, Wood was coming off a season in which he averaged 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for a Mavericks team that yanked his role all season long.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mavs-news-christian-woods-role-in-dallas-gets-blunt-take-from-gm-amid-looming-free-agency">Mavericks gave up on Wood</a> for a reason, however, and that being his lack of defensive impact. Wood’s defensive positioning is questionable, his rim-protection skills are suspect, and he isn’t exactly a resolute presence on the glass. The Mavs were very much outrebounded and outscored in the paint whenever Wood was in town.</p><p>Wood became the catalyst for the Mavericks’ decision to draft Dereck Lively II, as they wanted a mobile and athletic rim-protecting lob threat at the five instead of a perimeter threat who allowed more points than he scored. Nonetheless, the Lakers, for such a bargain price, added a 16-7 guy who can stretch the floor and prop up the team’s offense whenever LeBron James or Anthony Davis need to take a breather.</p><p>However, Wood did not adjust particularly well to a full-time bench role. He didn’t command touches as well, as scoring and playmaking duties fell to the shoulders of James, Davis, Austin Reaves, and D’Angelo Russell. Darvin Ham rarely trusted Wood with heavy minutes until he needed arthroscopic surgery to address his knee injury.</p><p>In the end, Wood did not match expectations in his first year with the Lakers. His plan to try and rebuild his value with a prove it 1+1 deal didn’t work, and now, he had to resort to Plan B, which is to opt into his $3 million contract for next season. He could have tried to sign a deal with another team, perhaps a lottery-bound one, to try and regain his value, but after undergoing surgery, he opted to play it safe.</p><h2><b>An offseason full of possibilities for the Lakers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Los-Angeles-Lakers-forward-LeBron-James-23-during-the-fourth-quarter.jpg"></figure><p>The comfort for the Lakers is that Christian Wood’s decision to opt into his contract for next season won’t prevent them at all from executing whatever it is they’re planning for this offseason. They have a <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/overview/_/year/2024">few tradeable contracts</a>, with Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, and Jarred Vanderbilt all making $10 to $17 million a year, and D’Angelo Russell could join that list if he decides to opt into his $18.7 million contract for next season.</p><p>Many expect the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-lakers-trae-young-trade-buzz-picks-up-immediately-after-playoff-loss-to-nuggets">Lakers to go star-hunting</a>; Trae Young appears to be at the top of their trade target list, while they also expressed interest in Zach LaVine and Dejounte Murray prior to the February 8 trade deadline.</p><p>It’s unclear how much their trade targets would move the needle; the Lakers need more athletic defenders who can shoot and a deadly scoring/playmaking threat who could help keep the team afloat as LeBron James, if he re-signs, would most certainly require a few off days here and there.</p><p>Still, there are few more attractive prospects in the NBA than to play for a historically great franchise in the Lakers and to play with a historically great player in James. The possibilities are endless for the Lakers as they try to put yet another playoff exit at the hands of the Denver Nuggets in the rearview mirror.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Lakers’ Christian Wood makes $3 million contract decision

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/lakers-news-christian-wood-game-4-denver-nuggets-los-angeles');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers to get Christian Wood back for Game 4 vs. Nuggets');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/christian-wood-lakers-1.jpg"></figure><h1>Lakers to get Christian Wood back for Game 4 vs. Nuggets</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-04-27T16:30:00-07:00">April 27th, 4:30pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-04-27T16:39:56-07:00">April 27th, 4:39pm</time><address><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/author/michaelc/">Michael Corvo</a>Michael Corvo has been the Los Angeles Lakers beat reporter for ClutchPoints since 2021. He also covers golf and movies. One day, he hopes to see the New York Jets win another playoff game. Inspirations: Paul Giamatti, Shane Falco, Phife Dawg.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Wood will be active for Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday, head coach Darvin Ham <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelcorvo_/status/1784366212610502797">confirmed pregame</a>.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Christian Wood going through pregame warmups <a href="https://t.co/mKJWb9GGCh">https://t.co/mKJWb9GGCh</a> <a href="https://t.co/eXqsr9lXMk">pic.twitter.com/eXqsr9lXMk</a></p><p>— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvo_) <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelcorvo_/status/1784366212610502797?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The Lakers are <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-lebron-james-los-angeles-anthony-davis-denver-nuggets-nba-playoffs-austin-reaves">facing a 3-0 series deficit</a> to the defending champions. Los Angeles has lost 11 straight games to Denver. No team in NBA history has won four straight in a playoff series. LeBron James has never been beaten by the same opponent 11 straight times.</p><p>Wood has been out since Feb. 14 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. In 51 games during the regular season (one start), Wood averaged 6.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 17.4 minutes. He shot 31% from the 3-point line on 2.3 attempts per game.</p><p>Wood was <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/los-angeles-lakers-denver-nuggets-nikola-jokic-lebron-james-nba-playoffs-anthony-davis">reportedly eyeing</a> a Game 3 return, and was seen getting up shots after Lakers practice on Wednesday. The veteran was <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelcorvo_/status/1784011688125305134" rel="noopener">upgraded to questionable</a> for Game 4 on Friday.</p><p>Ham, when asked, did not indicate what role Wood would have in Game 4, only that he’s “available.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Christian Wood getting up shots after Lakers practice <a href="https://t.co/3AOF63L6QU">pic.twitter.com/3AOF63L6QU</a></p><p>— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvo_) <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelcorvo_/status/1783220642017599930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p> </p><p>Wood largely split backup center duties with Jaxson Hayes during the season. Wood offers more girth, defensive rebounding, and rim protection, in addition to his theoretical ability to stretch the floor. Hayes was a DNP-CD in Game 3 after playing just 11 minutes over the first two games.</p><p>The Lakers’ lack of size compared to Denver has been exploited. Denver has 29 more rebounds than Los Angeles — 20 on the offensive glass —and 16 more points in the paint.</p><p>Nikola Jokic has enjoyed plenty of success against Anthony Davis — especially in second halves — though he’s particularly feasted when the Lakers have gone small, with Rui Hachimura at center.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Here's what Darvin Ham said at his preseason press conference with Rob Pelinka in September, when they were asked specifically about the Lakers' decision not to sign another big to help on Nikola Jokic: <a href="https://t.co/vU1N1pbiZo">pic.twitter.com/vU1N1pbiZo</a></p><p>— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvo_) <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelcorvo_/status/1782816851422245280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“Clearly, we have to do something better,” a <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelcorvo_/status/1783954716181057928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1783954716181057928%7Ctwgr%5E8a91b20245e75cd4e6ec1a9332ea4c6cb96c663b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwp.clutchpoints.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost-new.php" rel="noopener">visibly dejected</a> Hachimura said Friday at practice. “Of course, we’ve been trying. We’ve been watching a lot of film. We’re adjusting different coverage and all that. But, as a team, in my opinion, we just don’t have enough experience.”</p><p>Jarred Vanderbilt, out since Feb. 3 with a midfoot sprain, was <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-lebron-james-jarred-vanderbilt-los-angeles-game-3-nba-playoffs-denver-nuggets">reportedly hoping to return</a> for Game 3, but is yet to come off the injury report. The Lakers have not provided an official update on Vanderbilt for several weeks.</p><p>Cam Reddish remains out with a sprained ankle.</p><p>The Lakers’ depth has severely underwhelmed against Denver. For the most part, Anthony Davis (32.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 61.5% shooting) and LeBron James (26.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 9.7 assists) have played Nikola Jokic (27.7 points, 15.7 boards, 8.7 assists) and Jamal Murray (21.3 points, 8.0 assists, one backbreaking buzzer-beater) to a standstill.</p><p>But, the Nuggets’ supporting cast has been dramatically more impactful than the Lakers. Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have collectively outplayed Hachimura, Austin Reaves, and D’Angelo Russell, by a wide margin.</p><p>The Lakers’ bench has 36 points through three games of the series — 24 of which have been scored by Taurean Prince. The Nuggets — considered one of the shallowest teams in the NBA —  have 41 bench points, but Christian Braun and Peyton Watson have helped Denver win the non-Jokic stretches with their two-way athleticism and all-around disruption.</p><p>Wood, a Los Angeles native, spent his first season with the Lakers on a one-year minimum contract. The 28-year-old has played for nine teams in nine seasons. If he plays on Saturday, it’ll mark his first career appearance in the NBA Playoffs.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Lakers to get Christian Wood back for Game 4 vs. Nuggets

Darius Miller

John Collins

Denzel Valentine

T.J. McConnell

Christian Wood

Jonah Bolden

Trey Lyles

Nikola Vučević

Kent Bazemore

Jonas Valančiūnas

Philadelphia 76ers

Charlotte Hornets

New Orleans Pelicans

Milwaukee Bucks

Detroit Pistons

Houston Rockets

Dallas Mavericks

Los Angeles Lakers

1 season

Career

https://twitter.com/Chriswood_5/status/1645612769402576897/

I want to thank everyone and mavs fans especially for there support this season. Dallas has a special place in my heart, Back to the grind ..

https://twitter.com/Chriswood_5/status/1640931230815342593/

The only thing really worth chasing is a dream .

https://twitter.com/Chriswood_5/status/1636969724910379008/

https://twitter.com/Chriswood_5/status/1627755632156868608/

https://twitter.com/Chriswood_5/status/1627726480217366528/

To whom much is given,
Much is required..

https://twitter.com/Chriswood_5/status/1623778106598391808/

Got to watch y’all disrespect like I haven’t been efficiently HOOPING all year .. using it as motivation

https://twitter.com/Chriswood_5/status/1623776753453002752/

https://twitter.com/Chriswood_5/status/1621694937699057668/

Back on twitter .. Shoutout to everyone who voted for me for all star I appreciate it fr going to get it next year ..#JustWait

2023-24 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
6.9	5.1	1.0	0.7	0.3

2023-24 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
6.9	5.1	1.0	0.7	0.3

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