When the Los Angeles Lakers signed Christian Wood in 2023, most agreed it was one of the best bargain signings of the offseason.

Los Angeles landed one of the most statistically intriguing big men in the NBA on a minimum contract with a 2024-25 player option worth just $3,036,040.

Unfortunately, Wood has appeared in just 50 of Los Angeles’ 118 regular season games since he signed with them—presenting the Lakers with an impossible decision as the trade deadline nears.

On paper, Wood is everything the Lakers need right now.

He’s a productive rebounder, efficient three-point shooter, and downright dynamic scoring threat with per-36 production that suggests he could help the team improve in several areas of weakness.

Follow the numbers to those weaknesses and you’ll see Los Angeles ranking No. 23 in second-chance points, No. 25 in three-point field goals made, and No. 29 in bench scoring.

Los Angeles could potentially execute a trade that would help it address those, as well as other, issues. It’s the most likely outcome, especially when one considers the fact that Wood has yet to make his 2024-25 season debut—nearly 40 games in.

The unfortunate reality is thus that Wood has either already played his last game in Los Angeles or remains the key to unlocking the team’s potential.

Christian Wood: Trade asset or answer to Lakers’ second unit woes?

Wood has struggled to stay healthy over the past two seasons, and was arguably cast in a role that didn’t fit his skill set in 2023-24.

When he’s playing at 100 percent, however, he’s established himself as one of the most productive players in the NBA.

Between 2018-19 and 2022-23, Wood averaged 22.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.1 offensive boards, 2.2 assists, 1.3 blocks, 0.9 steals, and 2.0 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.

In addition to being remarkably productive on a per-36 basis, Wood shot 52.0 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from beyond the arc during that timeframe.

For those who aren’t a fan of per-36 numbers, it’s worth noting that the 29-year-old began to approach those marks on a per-game basis in recent seasons.

Between 2020-21 and 2022-23, Wood averaged 18.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 blocks, 0.7 steals, and 1.8 three-point field goals made in 29.3 minutes per game.

That type of production could greatly elevate a Lakers team that can’t seem to generate consistent scoring from the second unit or rebounds overall. For that matter, he could also help Los Angeles prevent opposing bigs from creating second chances of their own.

Considering the Lakers rank No. 27 in second-chance points allowed, it’s difficult to overlook how intriguing a fit Wood could be in JJ Redick’s rotation.

Unfortunately, the Lakers are just about as close to the playoffs as they are their 2024-25 season opener. Having been without Wood for nearly half the season, it’s come to the point that Rob Pelinka can no longer justify banking on his return from injury—especially with the Feb. 6 trade deadline looming.

Perhaps Wood can return in time to remind the Lakers of what he can provide, but unless that happens, it’s fair to believe that he’s played his final game in Los Angeles.