Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Featured > Lakers News: Darvin Ham Called Christian Wood ‘Every Day’ Of Free Agency
FeaturedLakers News

Lakers News: Darvin Ham Called Christian Wood ‘Every Day’ Of Free Agency

Matthew Valento
Published: 09/22/2023
4 Min Read
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The Los Angeles Lakers were one of the most active teams in free agency this summer, handling most of their work early. However, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka left the 14th roster spot open with the intention of signing another big man.

When Jaxson Hayes was signed on Day 2 of free agency, he was the only center behind Anthony Davis for weeks on end. This left fans wondering who the front office was targeting, but it seemed that the focus was on Christian Wood all along.

After months of waiting, the Lakers recently signed Wood on a two-year, veteran minimum contract with a player option for the second season. It was a long process, but head coach Darvin Ham played a role in Wood signing with L.A. as the two have a history together during their time in Milwaukee. In fact, Wood revealed to Chris McGee on Spectrum SportsNet that Ham called him often during the free agency process:

“[Ham] called me every day in free agency. I can say that now, believe it or not. We have a good relationship and I think that was a really big thing for me, just having that communication with a coach where you can just talk personable, and he’s a player’s coach as well. So just having that on my side is great and him believing in me and trusting in what I can do with my abilities is great.”

For a guy of Wood’s caliber and what he can bring to a team’s offense, it was surprising to see his market materialize to only a veteran minimum this last in the offseason. But, there have been concerns with his defense and his character in terms of motor and being unable to find a ‘home’ yet in his career.

The Dallas Mavericks sacrificed the No. 26 pick in the 2022 draft to acquire the center and it did not pan out as they hoped. Wood only spent 13 games with the Bucks in 2018-19, but seems that forming a relationship with Ham as an assistant there helped in the long run.

With the Lakers having a deep roster, Ham has a lot of different lineup options and it’ll be interesting to see how he utilizes Wood. Now on his eighth team, the hope is to rehab his value and cash in on a bigger contract, which the Lakers have been successful at the past few seasons.

Why Wood took so long to sign with L.A.

After doing most of their damage on Day 1 of free agency, the Lakers took their time evaluating options for the 14th roster spot. However, Wood was waiting on the potential trades of James Harden and Damian Lillard to see if a bigger role materialized, which is why he didn’t sign with the Lakers until recently.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Christian WoodDarvin HamLos Angeles Lakers
ByMatthew Valento
Follow:
Matthew Valento graduated from Boise State University with a major in integrated media and strategic communications and a minor in journalism. He grew up in Santa Clarita, California and played basketball at Saugus High School. Along with writing for LakersNation.com, Matthew also hosts a basketball podcast called, "The Basketball Maestros." Contact: MattV@MediumLargeLA.com Twitter: @matthewvalento Instagram: matthew.valento
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?