(07-19-2023, 06:01 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Oh, obviously.
That's the whole point: if you're Wood, what is your priority here? Assuming the Lakers/Heat minimum offers are really out there (I do), what amount of money would entice you to choose a clearly lesser opportunity in Chicago? Would there even BE an amount, since keeping your head down and not upsetting the boat for a season on a real, live contender for a year could open up even better financial opportunities in the future?
What I'm saying is that at this point, I think it's kind of indicative that he's still out there, trying to find more money. Clearly, the market doesn't like him. A more mature, enlightened man might recognize that getting a chance to play with LeBron for a year, doing a good job and then having the LA Lakers organization saying good things about him next summer (something the Mavs clearly aren't doing) might come with a greater benefit than whatever extra dough he can squeeze out of Chicago now. That would be more of the same thing that has gotten him here, imo.
Caruso, Lavine, PWill, DeRozan, Vucevic... (or)... Vincent, Reaves, Rui/Vando, Lebron, AD
I would lean towards the Bulls if I was Wood. Lebron is a sieve on defense during the regular season and needs everyone else to play extra defense to cover for him. When the Lakers lose due to defense, the blame will be put on Wood instead of on Lebron. Then, he will also be in competition with AD and Lebron for minutes.
Far better to go to Chicago, where they need better offense and he is in competition with Vucevic for minutes.
So... earning more money while not having to be the fall-guy, and competing against a lesser player for minutes to rehab your image... it is a no-brainer AFAIC.
Unless he feels the Lakers are the favorites to win the title in 2024-25 and he wants a ring real bad. Guess they could also use lineups with Rui/Vando at the 3, Wood and AD at the 4 and 5 to give Lebron rest or to cover when he's injured.