2 New Suitors Emerge For UFA Christian Wood

The Los Angeles Lakers seemed to have the market all to themselves last week on the free agent front for Christian Wood. But while they were doing their due diligence, two new teams have emerged as suitors for the 20-point scorer. 

The Bulls and Heat are potential suitors for Christian Wood, per @DanWoikeSports pic.twitter.com/fcREWmWVCd

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) July 19, 2023

According to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, "the Chicago Bulls are suddenly viewed as a potential threat that could keep the Lakers from landing Wood."

Chicago just recently got a $10.2-million player exception because of Lonzo Ball’s two-plus-season long knee injury absence. 

The Lakers are only able to offer only the veteran’s minimum (less than $2.5M), which Wood, who's coming off a $14M salary on an expiring 3-year, $41M deal, would likely not be keen to accept. 

With that exception money, the Bulls can certainly outbid the Lakers for Wood.

Woike also cites the Miami Heat as a potential landing spot for the former Dallas Mavericks big man. The Heat lost out on another free agent big man, Dario Saric, while they've been in the midst of the Damian Lillard trade negotiations. 

Wood has been on seven teams in seven years in the league, and has his defensive deficiencies. But he still has his suitors, as the top free agent left on the board.

Last season, he averaged 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds largely coming off the bench in Dallas, in 26 minutes per game. He was a 21 PPG scorer and a 10 rebounds a night man during his two seasons in Houston. 

Photo: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports