Trade & FA 2023-24: Stein-Ingram Trade Inevitable| LAL Want Lebron Back On Any Terms

[F Gump]

Well since Chicago appears to be interested with their disabled player exception at 10.1 mil, perhaps that might motivate the Lakers to commit to a SnT to try and match the money. It all depends on how bad the Lakers want/need Wood. 

If I remember the rules correct, the SnT just has to be a contract length of 3 years minimum, but the money doesn't have to be guaranteed after the 1st year. So the Lakers could structure it where Wood gets 11 mil the first year (beating out CHI's offer) and then add in some non guarantee's to keep their risks low.

The fact that the Bulls have a 10M DPE, and might have some interest in Wood, doesn't mean they'd be willing to pay him a number anywhere like that. It was just a statement that they could outbid LA if they want to.

And I read LAs interest as being in "Wood the minimum salary possibility" since they plan to fill their last spot at that price. The idea they'd get into a bidding war, and try to trade for him, doesn't fit at all. If he wants more, he needs to find a different buyer.