Signing Christian Wood performed completely into the Lakers’ palms and extra importantly, meant that the franchise stored their promise to one in every of their largest stars – Anthony Davis.
Davis performed 99 p.c of his minutes at heart final season however this isn’t one thing he needed to proceed doing, NBA insider Dave McMenamin defined.
“Wood tweeted that it had “always been my dream” to play for the Lakers,” McMenamin wrote. “It seems his dream coincides with the wishes of L.A.’s most necessary participant: Anthony Davis.
“Sources told ESPN that Davis made it clear to the organization he wanted to have more support at center so he wouldn’t have to play so much 5 during the regular season.”
As effectively as signing Wood to a vet minimum two-year deal, the Lakers additionally added NOLA’s Jaxson Hayes to the combine, which creates extra alternatives for AD to play at his most well-liked energy ahead place.
Clearly, the Lakers love Davis in any place he performs on the court docket, since his time at heart final season earned him a a three-year, $186 million extension this offseason – regardless of his rocky harm historical past.
The purple and gold recruited effectively this offseason after signing newcomers Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Jaxson Hayes and Cam Reddish.
But many Lakers followers would agree with McMenamin when he says that the most necessary strikes LA made have been the ones to retain final yr’s success tales.
“In addition to extending Davis, they re-signed the young trio of Austin Reaves (four years, $56 million), D’Angelo Russell (two years, $37 million) and Rui Hachimura (three years, $51 million),” McMenamin stated. “That core helped L.A. go 18-6 through the end of the regular season, play-in tournament and first two rounds of the playoffs. Add a healthy and rejuvenated LeBron James for his 21st season, and there are plenty of reasons for optimism in Lakerland.”
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