Insider: Only 2 Possible Outcomes for Christian Wood This Offseason

According to the latest intel, free agent Christian Wood—the top name still on the open market—basically has two possible outcomes this offseason: He can sign a veteran's minimum deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, or he can wait to see if the Miami Heat can create a bit more contract flexibility and head to South Beach.

And according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, it appears that Wood could be leaning towards the latter, if its doable. 

Christian Wood is interested in a potential role in Miami, per @jovanbuha

(h/t @dru_star ) pic.twitter.com/rlUVnXRtsB

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 11, 2023

“Christian Wood, from my understanding, is interested in a potential role in Miami—depending on what players are involved in that [Dame] trade. If they add Nurkić I think that frontcourt is set. If they don't & get rid of Jović, can Wood come in & outplay Love & Bryant”@jovanbuha pic.twitter.com/tMBvB2Hhpe

— Dru (@dru_star) August 11, 2023

It might all come down to the Damian Lillard trade saga, however. The Heat are tight to the second, and onerous, tax apron. But if they're able to pull something off to acquire Dame, and in the process rid themselves of the massive contracts of Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson, they could create enough cap space to make Wood an offer that would exceed the minimum, and even offer its $5 million taxpayer midlevel exception. 

Now that's still a huge comedown from the $14M Wood was making in the last year of his contract with the Dallas Mavericks last season, but $5M is still better than $2.4M (vet's minimum) that the Lakers are limited to. 

The Bulls are a looming 3rd team, who can offer even more, but it seems that Wood is likely going to be choosing between the Lakers and Heat. 

Wood averaged 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds with the Mavs last year, while hitting on 37.6% from the 3-point line. His defensive shortcomings, however, would need to be masked by other frontcourt players wherever he winds up. Both the Lakers and Heat can offer that. 

Photo: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports