Why The Sacramento Kings & Christian Wood Need To Partner Up

The Sacramento Kings were bounced in the playoffs after a tough-fought seven-game series against the defending champions from the Golden State Warriors, further cementing the Kings as a team to note for the future.

One of the weaknesses in Sacramento this postseason was a lack of depth up front. With the organization having some financial wiggle room due to the fact that star forward/center Domantas Sabonis is on a team-friendly deal, they have some options to solve that issue this summer.

Enter Christian Wood.

The 6’10 big man was one of the most productive players on the Dallas Mavericks this season, yet saw inconsistent minutes under head coach Jason Kidd, for reasons that have yet to be fully clear. His 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds may not read as some formidable stat line, but that production came in just 25.9 minutes per night.

Wood was, before the acquisition of Kyrie Irving at the trade deadline, the second-best player on the Mavericks behind Luka Dončić, consistently offering reliable scoring both inside and out, as well as quality rebounding.

While Wood has never been a defensive force, for which he has been heavily criticized, the one team in the league where that wouldn’t be a problem is in Sacramento. The Kings have found their brand on the other side of the court, producing the league’s best offense, giving players the freedom to lean into their strengths.

Wood is such a versatile scorer, the Kings could use him in a variety of ways, especially as a floor spacer. During the playoffs, when the Warriors sagged off Sabonis, there were no big man on the roster they could put on the court instead, who would consistently take, and make, those open shots. Wood, however, would relish that opportunity.

Furthermore, Wood is agile enough to play next to Sabonis, meaning he wouldn’t be limited to just backing up the Lithuanian star. Depending on what happens with Harrison Barnes, an unrestricted free agent this summer, Wood might even start. Even if he doesn’t, he should still be penciled in for 30 solid minutes per night, backing up both the four and the five positions.

When given the minutes, Wood has a strong history of producing high numbers, both in the scoring category, and on the glass. With a sped-up offense like the Kings offer, and him being able to lean on De’Aaron Fox and Sabonis for creation, Wood would find himself in an optimal situation, where his job is to be simply a play-finisher, something he does extremely well.

After a bit of a down year in Dallas due to the lack of minutes, and due to the fact that defenses would often crowd the paint due to the fact that Dončić was more or less the sole creator on the team prior to the arrival of Irving, Wood hit just 69.7% within three feet of the basket. That’s not a low number generally, but for him specifically, it was a significant step down from the 76.7% he hit during his two seasons with the Rockets.

In Sacramento, where Fox will force defenses on their heels, Wood will be able to fill the lane, run as the trailer, and finish lobs at a mesmerizing rate. It would be entirely fair to expect the 27-year-old to convert around the basket at a career-high rate, while he also sports the ability to space the floor when the game slows down.

Some might argue that Sacramento needs defense. It’s a fair concern. Doubling down on even more offense doesn’t necessarily round out a team. However, the sheer volume of offensive firepower with Wood in that Kings rotation could be enough to turn the team into a conference finalist.

As to acquiring Wood, the Kings will have to either hope he’s willing to sign the Non-Tax MLE, worth approximately $12 million annually, or to engage Dallas in a sign-and-trade scenario where they for example give back Richaun Holmes and some modest draft capital.

Wood is reportedly not expected to return to Dallas, which isn’t unsurprising given the course of events this year. For him, it’s about finding a home that has the potential of longevity, and where he can prove he’s more than a journeyman.

Malik Monk found that in Sacramento after four years with the Charlotte Hornets where he was never given a real shot to prove himself, and a year with the Lakers that was bumpy at best. Head coach Mike Brown, and general manager Monte McNair, have created a player-friendly environment, where the focus on team-building, and chemistry, is immense.

For Wood, who has played for seven teams as he found his footing in the NBA, now is the time to settle down and enjoy a long-term relationship. The Kings would make a formidable partner, where Wood can do what he does best.

Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.