Lakers News: Surprising Way Christian Wood Is Making Biggest Impact In LA

Wood Could Go Down as the Biggest Steal of the Offseason

Although the box scores might not show it, Christian Wood has had a phenomenal start to the 2023-2024 campaign.

The 7th-year forward is in his first season with your Los Angeles Lakers, and he has been quick to show that he will do whatever it takes to help the team win.

"I gotta keep doing the little stuff, the dirty work — setting screens, running, playing my part," Wood said to 2nd year Head Coach Darvin Ham.

To his credit, that is exactly what he has been doing so far this season.

Wood's grittiness has shown on both ends of the court, and the Lakers have certainly been better off because of it.

How Wood Has Changed His Game This Year

Something notable about Christian Wood this year has been his focus on the defensive end, rather than than on the offensive one.

The former UNLV Runnin' Rebel has generally been known throughout his career as primarily an offensive player, even averaging over 20 points per game in the 2020-2021 season with the Houston Rockets.

Contrast that with his average of only 7.0 points per game this year, and it's clear to see that Wood has taken a step back on offense this season in order to let his Lakers teammates shine.

It's not just reduced focus on the offensive end for Wood, but rather he has refocused that effort on the defensive end.

Though it doesn't necessarily always show up in the box score, the 28-year-old's defensive presence in the paint has certainly been felt by opposing teams this year.

A big part of that can be credited to playing alongside one of the best defenders in the league Anthony Davis, but it's been clear this season that Wood has shifted his mentality towards a team-first one, and it has been great for LA.

Christian Wood signed a two-year, veteran's minimum deal worth only $5.7 million in the offseason, and early returns are making it seem that it could go down as the biggest steal of the 2023 offseason.

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