The Los Angeles Lakers will head into the start of the season undermanned as Jovan Buha reports that backup center Christian Wood went through an arthroscopic surgical procedure on his left knee which will rule him out for the next eight weeks.
“Update from the Lakers: Christian Wood underwent a successful arthroscopic surgical procedure on his left knee today. He will be re-evaluated in approximately eight weeks.”
Wood reacted to the news on his social media as well, expressing how disappointed he was with the setback.
“Damn. I was just feeling like my old self again and was in peak shape… Minor setback for a major comeback, and to my fans, don’t stop believing in me.”
Wood averaged 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds last season, playing a bit-part role on the Lakers last season. He’s a clearly talented player, averaging 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds on the Mavericks in 2022-23, and 17.9 points and 10.1 rebounds on the Rockets the season prior to that. However, defensive limitations and concerns over his attitude have held him back at almost every spot.
His stint with the Mavericks ended in explosive fashion, with the team making it as clear as they could that they didn’t want to retain him after trading for him in the 2022 offseason. He sat in 2023 free agency for months before signing a two-year deal with the Lakers for the veteran minimum.
He didn’t contribute much last season, so this season is crucial in Wood’s hopes to not only have a future with the Lakers but a future in the NBA.
The Lakers Were Already Searching For Another Big Man
Given the Lakers are already looking for big men to step up behind Anthony Davis, Wood had an opportunity to be a contributing player if he can earn regular minutes. But missing the first few weeks of the season will mean he starts at a disadvantage compared to other backup center Jaxson Hayes.
JJ Redick has already expressed his desire to acquire a new big man despite Wood and Hayes being on the roster.
“You certainly have to look at what I think is actually a very good roster, a very balanced roster. We’d love to, we tried, but we’d love to, at some point, get another five-man, a big bruising five-man.”
Wood doesn’t fit the description of a ‘bruising five-man,’ as his primary skill set is being able to score while having the potential to be a hard-nosed rebounder as well. Hayes is more of a bruising five-man, but he hasn’t been able to shine through the first five years of his career on the Pelicans and Lakers.
It seems Wood might not even get a chance at earning a rotational spot on the Lakers if they acquire the big man they want before the start of the season or if Hayes does what Redick needs him to do. This is a make-or-break season for Wood, and it’s started with an unfortunate break.
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