The Los Angeles Lakers signed free agent heart Christian Wooden to a two-year, $5.7 million contract, in keeping with sources. His new deal features a $3.036 million participant choice for 2024-25.
Wooden, 27, made 17 begins in 67 appearances with the Dallas Mavericks within the 2022-23 season. The 6-foot-10 heart averaged 16.6 factors, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 25.9 minutes per recreation.
Per a couple of NBA betting websites, the Los Angeles Lakers maintain sixth-shortest odds to win subsequent season’s 2024 championship. Sportsbooks present higher odds for the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, and Miami Warmth.
23-24: $2,709,849
24-25: $3,036,040 (P)
Wooden can reestablish himself with a powerful Laker workforce and enter free company as soon as once more subsequent offseason.
Depth of bigs embrace: Anthony Davis, Jaxson Hayes, Jarred Vanderbilt, Rui Hachimura and now Wooden https://t.co/yKp9Fewcfh
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) September 6, 2023
In Dallas’ 130-110 win over the Portland Path Blazers on Dec. 16, 2022, Christian Wooden recorded a season-high 32 factors and 12 rebounds in half-hour off the bench. He completed 11-of-17 (64.7%) taking pictures from the ground and 8-of-10 (80%) on the foul line.
Wooden was one in every of 4 gamers 6-foot-10 or taller to make 100 3-pointers in every of the previous two seasons, in keeping with ESPN Stats & Data. He’s averaged 38.2% taking pictures from downtown over the past 4 seasons.
Los Angeles Lakers signal former Dallas Mavericks heart Christian Wooden to a two-year, $5.7 million deal; Wooden joins Jaxson Hayes and Anthony Davis in L.A.
Moreover, in losses to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (Jan. 8) and Portland Path Blazers (Jan. 15), the large man grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds. Regardless of lacking 15 video games throughout the 2022-23 common season, Wooden nonetheless logged 12 double-doubles in 67 video games.
The Chicago Bulls and Miami Warmth have been additionally within the operating to signal Wooden. In July, former New Orleans Pelicans heart Jaxon Hayes signed a two-year, $4.63 million take care of the Lakers as nicely.
Gamers with 20+ PPG and a pair of+ BPG as starters final season:
— Christian Wooden— Anthony Davis
Now, they’re teammates. pic.twitter.com/9WcD3GKm9M
— StatMuse (@statmuse) September 6, 2023
Wooden and Hayes are becoming a member of eight-time All-Star Anthony Davis, who re-signed with L.A. on a three-year, $177.13 million extension in August. Barring a significant damage, the additions of Wooden and Hayes means Davis will most likely play fewer minutes subsequent season.
Different new Lakers signings this offseason embrace ex-Minnesota Timberwolves ahead Taurean Prince (one-year, $4.5 million), former Miami Warmth guard Gabe Vincent (three-year, $33 million), and ex-Portland Path Blazers wing Cam Reddish (two-year, $4.63 million).
