The New York Knicks are expected to take in several players this offseason and Christian Wood could be a sensible target. Though he is not the top star that most have been talking about as of late, the 25-year-old is a rising young star that can shore up the Knicks frontline.
Wood is an unrestricted free agent, wrapping up his stint with the Detroit Pistons. He is coming off a meager $3.1 million deal and is for a big raise this coming NBA season. The Pistons remain in play but their success depends on how much they can offer the 6-foot-10 cager, the Detroit Free Press reported.
That being said, it comes as no surprise that the Knicks are considering Wood. He could be a key addition and improve further under the watch of Tom Thibodeau. He has the numbers to show and there is no doubt that Wood has plenty of room to improve.
The New York Knicks are expected to show interest in Christian Wood, per @IanBegley pic.twitter.com/wIKF07XbdX — NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) November 3, 2020
Last season with the Pistons, Wood played in 62 games averaging 13.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and an assist in 21.4 minutes of action. He also owned a high field goal shooting clip at 56.7 percent while holding a 38.6 percent from beyond the arc.
At his age and with the talent he has shown, Wood can easily blend in with other young players like RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson. Of the two, however, interest is growing on Robinson who could be part of a 2020 NBA Draft deal.
Aside from adding key players to their mix, the Knicks are also focused on the coming NBA Draft. Aware that they need to reinforce their roster with offensive-minded players, the Knicks have their eyes on either Anthony Edwards or LaMelo Ball.
The Knicks are picking 8th at the 2020 NBA Draft, meaning they are unlikely to have good chances at either. Hence, the only plausible recourse is to trade up the draft order. And one team that is open to such is the Golden State Warriors.
James Wiseman is the player widely linked to the Dubs. Golden State needs to address its manpower needs, particularly at the center. However, the Warriors are reportedly divided on making Wiseman their pick. Depending on who the Minnesota Timberwolves select, the Dubs could be in a dilemma.
If they pick Wiseman, passing up on Ball or Edwards could be something they would live to regret. So rather than take their chances on the 7-foot-1 center from the Memphis Tigers, a trade with the Knicks for the 8th pick and possibly Mitchell Robinson is seen as a better recourse.
