The Milwaukee Bucks are expected to re-sign center Brook Lopez this offseason. The Defensive Player of the Year finalist is an unrestricted free agent, but multiple NBA insiders have reported that he is expected to remain in Milwaukee.
That being said, the Bucks would not be doing their due diligence if they did not have a backup plan. According to reports from Clutch Points, Milwaukee is rumored to have their sights set on former center Christian Wood as their primary target should Lopez leave.
Christian Wood Barely Got Any Playing Time with the Milwaukee Bucks
According to Clutch Points,
“What are the Bucks’ options if Lopez leaves? Milwaukee could turn its attention to Christian Wood, sources told ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.”
When Wood was with the Bucks in 2018-19, he was kept at the power forward position, stuck behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and others in the Milwaukee front court. As a result, he appeared in just 13 games and averaged less than three points in those contests.
Milwaukee waived him on March 18, 2019 and he was signed by the New Orleans Pelicans two days later. In eight games with the Pelicans, he averaged 16.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.
Since then, Wood has bounced around a little bit, playing for the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks. All of those teams had Wood playing center.
His best season came in 2020-21 when he averaged 21.0 points and 9.6 rebounds per game for the Rockets. The following year, he averaged a double-double (17.9 points and 10.6 rebounds).
Last season, with the Mavericks, Wood averaged 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds in largely a reserve role. He is currently an unrestricted free agent.
Brook Lopez Is Not Going Anywhere, but Is There Still Space for Christian Wood?
As mentioned previously (and by numerous sources), the Bucks are expected to re-sign Brook Lopez this summer. However, they are also going to be looking at improving their roster. After all, they are losing numerous other players to free agency.
Is there a spot for Christian Wood on this team? The answer is yes, but at what cost? Bobby Portis, of course, is a phenomenal sixth man and averaged close to a double-double off the bench this season. He is also a forward/center like Wood.
That being said, Wood would be a massive upgrade over a player such as Meyers Leonard, who was signed mid-season by the Bucks. It all comes down to money, something the Bucks do not have much of. It is likely that Wood will be out of their price range, unfortunately.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!