Christian

Wood

After failing to acquire Mark Williams, the Lakers were left without much positional depth at center, and Len will help to correct that. He and Jaxson Hayes will likely share minutes, hurting the fantasy value of both. Len doesn’t need to be added in most leagues, and he would only be a viable fantasy option if he earned full-time starter minutes. Wood’s departure won’t impact fantasy hoops, but he could be worth a look if he lands in the right situtation.

Wood underwent left knee surgery in September and has yet to play this season. Since the Lakers traded Anthony Davis to the Mavericks, there’s a need for frontcourt depth, either through current players getting healthy or the front office making a move before Thursday afternoon’s trade deadline. When asked about Wood’s status on Wednesday, Lakers coach JJ Redick had no update. Wood’s availability won’t impact fantasy basketball, and the Lakers will need an upgrade whether he plays or not.

Wood is set to start doing live work with coaches soon, while Hayes is working on strengthening his ankle and will have a clearer update next week. While this is certainly progress, there still isn’t a firm timeline for either player. Christian Koloko will continue to be the backup center until Wood or Hayes returns.

Wood, who hasn’t played yet in 2024-25, is experiencing soreness after beginning his ramp up for a return to the hardwood. The Lakers’ reserve big man is likely a while away from being a serviceable fantasy asset this season.

During Lakers media day, Wood said he believed he has two more weeks of rehab and a two-week ramp-up process before he can play. While optimistic, this timeline does not align with the reports after his September knee surgery. At the time, it was stated that Wood would be re-evaluated in eight weeks, meaning he wouldn’t be ready for the start of the regular season. With this being the second procedure on Wood’s knee in the last calendar year, the Lakers exercising caution would be unsurprising. With Jarred Vanderbilt (feet) also sidelined, Jaxson Hayes should have opportunities during the preseason to earn rotation minutes.

Wood missed the final two months of last season after undergoing surgery on his left knee, and now he’ll have another procedure on the same knee that will force him to miss the start of the season. He’ll be re-evaluated in early November, which means that Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt will likely see a few extra minutes to start the season at center behind Anthony Davis.

Wood has not appeared in a game since February 14, so inserting him into a game of this magnitude may have been far-fetched. Lakers coach Darvin Ham stuck with his usual nine-man rotation, which may be the case as long as this series continues. Game 5 is on Monday in Denver.

Wood will be available to play for the first time since before the All-Star break. However, Jaxson Hayes wasn’t in the rotation in Game 3, and they may not want to include Wood in their rotation in an elimination game. He will be available if needed, but he may not see the floor.

Wood has been sidelined for over a month and initially was targeting a return in Game 3. He could end up making his return on Saturday, though he will only see a limited role off the bench.

Wood hoped to return to the hardwood for Game 3 but needs more time to recover from the knee surgery he underwent. Jaxson Hayes will continue backing up Anthony Davis at center in the meantime.