The Los Angeles Lakers were hit with several injuries at the start of the season as Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt didn’t make their 2024-25 debuts. With Vanderbilt recently returning, this leaves speculation as to when Wood will be back. Throughout the season, we have been left with minimal injury updates as to when we could see Christian back out on the floor. Following a blockbuster trade that shocked the NBA world, the Lakers are left with a slim frontcourt. The Lakers received Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris from the Mavericks. Dallas acquired Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick.
Yes, this is real. Sources tell ESPN: Full trade:
– Lakers: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
– Mavericks: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 LAL 1st
– Jazz: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Clippers 2nd, 2025 Mavericks 2nd https://t.co/bltojdTaQj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025
Christian Wood’s Possible Return and Impact on Lakers
Update on Wood
Wood hasn’t played since February 14th of last season. He missed the last two months of the 2023-2024 season with a left knee injury and had an initial arthroscopic procedure on the knee in March. He would be sidelined the rest of the season and wouldn’t return for their playoff series against the Denver Nuggets. Wood appeared ready to go before training camp this year. Although, he then suffered a setback and had to get another surgery done. Because of that, he was ruled out for at least four more weeks in the middle of November.
Through December and January we didn’t get any clarification as to when Wood will exactly return. We did get reassuring news that he is making progress.
According to head coach JJ Redick after a Lakers practice in December,
“With Christian, he continues to progress. We don’t have necessarily a set date for his return to play with us, but the progress has been good. Redick further expanded on what Wood is able to do on the court and the progress he is making. “He’s doing more on the court with obviously just individual work. His AlterG stuff, he’s getting to 95%, 100% on the AlterG. So again, he’s making progress and it’s looking like it’ll be back soon barring any setback that he’s be back with us.”
With no exact timeframe and two months left until the postseason, Lakers faithful hope he can make a return regarding the post trade that’s resulted in a lack of frontcourt depth.
Frontcourt Depth
The Lakers had been dealing with a lack of big men throughout the entire season. As the trade deadline began to approach, the talks of Lakers needing another big gained noise. The team struggled to secure rebounds and what seemed to be their most consistent problem. Now, with Davis gone, Jaxson Hayes will have to step up big to help.
Many have speculated that LA will make another trade, that would involve adding another frontcourt piece to bolster the depth they lack. There is the possibility that Wood could be the answer. Although that there is no set timetable for his return, his progress and continuous travel can be positive to look at. Wood played with Luka Dončić during the 2022-2023 season on the Dallas Mavericks. That rejoiced connection could halt the Lakers from giving up more to make a trade and provide instant impact between the two. Wood and Hayes along with the defensive guards and forwards they have now, would be more than enough to solidify the frontcourt and defensive issues they’ve had.
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