Swarm and Sting
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Former Charlotte Hornets big man signs with Los Angeles Lakers

By James Mastrucci

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 21: Christian Wood #35 of the Charlotte Hornets dunks the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the preseason game on October 21, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 21: Christian Wood #35 of the Charlotte Hornets dunks the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the preseason game on October 21, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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A former member of the Charlotte Hornets is making his way west and signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Christian Wood has agreed to terms on a two-year deal with the Lakers. Wood’s contract includes $2.7 million for 2023 and a player option for just over $3 million in 2024.

The connection between the one-time Hornets big and the Los Angeles Lakers came to the surface a few weeks ago. Wood was looking for an extension with the Dallas Mavericks before becoming a free agent, and the two sides were not able to reach an agreement. Now Wood is heading to the Lakers on a deal making the veterans’ minimum and will be playing for his eighth team in nine years for Wood.

It took a few years for Wood to finally find his footing in the NBA. Wood appeared in 43 games across four years for the 76ers, Hornets, and Bucks before showing signs of being a capable player in the league over an eight-game stretch to close the 2018-19 season with the New Orleans Pelicans. Averaging 16.9 points and 7.9 rebounds in 23.6 minutes per game, Wood played well enough to garner the attention of the Detroit Pistons as they claimed him off waivers.

Wood was a productive player in his lone season in Detroit, as he averaged 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in 62 games on a career-high 56.7% shooting from the field. The UNLV product was able to parlay his production from the shortened 2019-20 season into a three-year $41 million sign-and-trade with the Houston Rockets.

Appearing in 109 games for the Rockets, Wood saw his scoring average jump in his first year to 21 points before dropping slightly in year two (17.9). Wood would be traded to the Mavericks before last season in exchange for four players and the draft rights to Wendell Moore Jr.

Now in Los Angeles, Wood can re-establish his value and find himself in a position to sign the type of deal he was not able to this past offseason.