The Lakers are among a group of teams across the NBA interested in signing free agent forward Christian Wood. One reason? Rob Pelinka would like to sign another big who doesn't share the same profile as Jaxson Hayes. Wood certainly qualifies there, with a much more polished offensive game and a general degree of skill Hayes has yet to come close to matching. On the other hand, he makes Hayes look like a DPOY candidate.
So who is the competition for Wood? How long is this going to take to resolve itself?
And is Wood the best option available for the Lakers, anyway?
Are the Lakers better off here with a player who has a higher ceiling, but a lower floor, than a guy like Bismack Biyombo? For all of his shortcomings, Biyombo has an elite-level skill (rim protection) that will come in handy whether the Lakers have Anthony Davis in the lineup or not. What about Collin Castleton? Could he end up picking up some minutes for LA?
Meanwhile... it's time to review the Summer Pro League experience for the Lakers. While the win/loss record doesn't matter, it's pretty easy to look at the important players the Lakers put out on the floor and leave impressed by what they did. For starters, Max Christie looked like he didn't belong in SPL because he was too good. That's exactly what you'd want from a guy in his second year (made more impressive because Christie is still younger than most of the players he was up against). Castelton and D'Moi Hodge both played like guys who understand how they can get on, and then stay on, an NBA roster. Smart, fundamentally sound, no loose risks with the ball, defined skill sets that can be utilized by a coaching staff. (Hodge, defense and shooting and Castleton, defense). No surprise both are older players, who the Lakers would love to see enter the rotation earlier rather than later.
What about Jalen Hood-Schifino? He didn't shoot well, but what about the rest of his game?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Who are the Lakers competing against for Christian Wood's services?
SEGMENT 2: Is Wood the right guy for what the Lakers need?
SEGMENT 3: A Summer League review. Who stood out?
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