The Los Angeles Lakers were very quick to make an assortment of signings in NBA free agency that brought the roster to 13 players. For the most part, fans were very happy with the moves that the purple and gold made to build out the roster.
The roster has been stuck at 13 players for over a month while fans patiently wait for the purple and gold to make a move. It has been clear for quite some time that the Lakers are going to sign a center as various options have come and gone.
One recent option that seemed like a legitimate possibility was JaVale McGee. McGee was waived by the Dallas Mavericks and although he cannot shoot, he seemed like a great fit for what the Lakers needed. That did not lead McGee to LA, as he instead signed a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings.
At this point, it feels like the team has put all its chips into a controversial pot and it might just be a matter of time until the move is made officially.
Lakers may actually be signing Christian Wood after all.
Christian Wood has been named as a potential candidate for the Lake Show for weeks now. It appeared that talks stalled with one prominent player reportedly pushing back on the Lakers signing Wood. But at this point, there are not many options left.
There are not many options for the Lakers as well as Wood. Wood has gone this long without being signed so it is clear that he is not going to get the contract he likely wants from another NBA team. He is going to have to play for the minimum, making Los Angeles a fit.
This could be a case where neither party can find a better alternative. We see these kinds of moves happen all the time in the NBA and after watching so many other centers get signed, it is hard to see the team go in another direction.
Some may point toward Bismack Biyombo, who is fine, albeit not exciting. But if the Lake Show was going to sign Biyombo then they probably would have done it already.
There is something that has prolonged this situation for the Lakers and the best guess is that it has been a staring match between Wood and the team. At some point, someone is going to break and the most logical end result seems to be Wood coming to Los Angeles.