One of many points the Los Angeles Lakers have confronted all through this season and into the playoffs has been an absence of depth, particularly within the frontcourt. Ahead Jarred Vanderbilt, a key backup from the center of final season, suffered a mid-foot sprain in early February and has not returned. His protection, rebounding and total power might assist tremendously within the first spherical of the playoffs.
However total, the Lakers offense was in all probability a much bigger drawback than their protection in that playoff sequence towards the Denver Nuggets. Their bench gave them subsequent to nothing offensively and their offense dried up within the second half of every of the 5 video games of the sequence.
That is the place Christian Wooden might assist. The backup massive man was shelved in February with a knee ailment, and whereas he was out there for Recreation 4 and Recreation 5, he didn't take the courtroom.
A number of days in the past, he tweeted that he “liked” his “first yr” in L.A. Certainly, the 2023-24 marketing campaign was his first yr with the Lakers, as he exercised his participant choice for subsequent season to stay with the staff.
Los Angeles Lakers ahead Christian Wooden has exercised a $3 million participant choice for the 2024-25 season, league sources stated. @hoopshype. Wooden appeared in 50 video games for the Lakers and averaged 6.9 factors and 5.1 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per recreation. pic.twitter.com/QJZEJxcjld
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) May 7, 2024
Wooden, who was born in Lengthy Seashore, Calif., has largely been a disappointment this season. His 36-point scoring common and capturing effectivity have dipped in comparison with latest seasons, however his rebounding has helped the Lakers and maybe sticking round will enhance his offensive manufacturing.
This story initially appeared on LeBron Wire
