Los Angeles Lakers' Christian Wood on Facing Dallas Mavs: 'Definitely Want to Go at Those Guys'

Christian Wood left the Dallas Mavericks on relatively bad terms over the summer, and now, as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, he's looking for some revenge against his former team.

Although the Dallas Mavericks had big hopes for Christian Wood last season, things just never panned out for a handful of reasons. Despite showing some real flashes while playing next to Luka Doncic, Wood's inconsistencies on the defensive end of the court kept him from becoming a full-time starter in head coach Jason Kidd's rotation.

Now, as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers on a veteran minimum contract, Wood still isn't a starter for that same reason, but this time, he's more open to accepting his backup role in Hollywood than he was in Dallas. With his first matchup against the Mavs since leaving in the offseason coming on Wednesday night, Wood is looking forward to playing his former team.

"[I'm] just being ready, playing my role, not trying to do too much," Wood said after the Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night, their sixth win in seven games.

Christian Wood showed promise with the Dallas Mavericks last season, but the partnership wasn't meant to last / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

"I know it's my former team, and I definitely want to go at those guys. But [I'm] just being calm, staying patient, playing my game and letting the game come to me. And try to find a rhythm on the floor, because I've been trying to do that for this whole season so far."

In 15 games for the Lakers, Wood is averaging 7.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in 21 points off the bench while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from deep. Although Wood hasn't been spectacular this season, he likely has a decent opportunity to stick it to his former team, given the Mavs' lack of big-man depth off the bench.

Mavs Insider Reveals Why Jason Kidd ‘Never Wanted’ Christian Wood

“Straight up, Jason Kidd did not want Christian Wood,” ESPN's Tim MacMahon said on an episode of The Hoop Collective podcast with Brian Windhorst before the season began. “That trade was made without J-Kidd signing off on it.”

If Wood had been accepting of a 20-minutes-per-night bench role in Dallas, he likely could've signed for more money than he did with the Lakers over the summer, inconsistent defense and all. Alas, that's not how things unfolded, and now we'll see who will get the first of several 'last laughs' tonight at Crypto.com Arena.