One of the most famous and successful teams in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers consistently attract the attention of fans and the basketball community with their actions in the transfer market. The latest signing that has sparked heated debate is that of talented center Christian Wood. The question many are asking is whether the 27-year-old will take a place in the starting XI or take on the role of a substitute for the purple and gold team.
According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the first expectation points to a role as Christian Wood’s replacement in Lakers coach Darvin Ham’s plans. A young talent with a lot of potential, Rui Hachimura is emerging as a frontcourt starter alongside superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. This starting lineup looks solid and balanced, with Hachimura bringing energy and versatility from both ends of the field.
However, this does not mean that Wood will be relegated to the bench in all games. He is actually expected to be the main backup center behind Anthony Davis. Wood’s versatility will allow him to play a crucial role in the Lakers’ rotation, as he occasionally appears alongside Davis in lineups that feature two huge insider talents.
The fact that Christian Wood is considered the primary backup center is a testament to his quality as a player. Wood has proven to be an efficient scorer on both outside and inside attacks, making him a valuable addition to any NBA team. His ability to score, shoot from the outside and rebound will give the Lakers impressive depth down center.
An important role with many minutes
As for the expected minutes of play for Wood, it is believed that he will see significant involvement, averaging around 20 minutes per game if all players are in top form. Those minutes will allow him to bring his talent to both phases of the game and keep the team fresh throughout the regular season and playoffs.
