The Los Angeles Lakers are left with two standard roster spots going into training camp, and they remain interested in signing one of the better free agents left in the market, Christian Wood.
The big man remains without a team a month into free agency despite his talent, mainly due to his reputation for having attitude issues.
The 27-year-old averaged 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks, shooting 77% from the line in 67 games for the Dallas Mavericks last season, which are excellent numbers for a modern big man.
Despite the Lakers' interest, one major huddle is that they could only offer the veteran's minimum deal worth $2.46 million for next season. This is a massive pay cut from the $14.3 million that Wood made last year with the Mavericks.
This is also one of the reasons why Wood remains without a team, as he is waiting it out to see if a team might be able to have an open roster spot that could offer him a more lucrative contract, a league executive told Heavy Sports.
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Another option considered by Mavericks
Dallas is considering a different pathway for a team to land Wood, according to insider Marc Stein.
Besides the Lakers, the Miami Heat are also a suitor for the big man, but it would be challenging for both teams to give in to Dallas' suggestion.
The Mavs are open to facilitating a sign-and-trade deal for either the Heat or Lakers, which would see Dallas take a player in return. However, the lack of tradeable assets by the two teams would make this scenario challenging.
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