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As they say in pickup games when no other teams are waiting to take the court, let’s run it back. No more than a day after the Milwaukee Bucks rocked the NBA world by signing Shabazz Muhammad to a training camp deal, the Shams Charania reports that Milwaukee has returned to the free agency watering hole to bring aboard LVSL fan favorite, Christian Wood.
Sources: Forward Christian Wood has agreed to a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. Wood played for Bucks in Las Vegas summer league, where he was part of all-first team.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 15, 2018
Wood, a 6’11” big man from UNLV, oozes natural talent on the floor. He’s an athletic rim protector with some measure of shooting ability, but went undrafted in 2016 despite a ringing endorsement from Frank Madden and Eric Nehm.
You made me do this. I believe it means you can say @fmaddenNBA and I have beachfront property on Christian Wood Island. https://t.co/1W7hNaeNN1
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) July 7, 2018
At this time, it is not clear whether or not Wood has signed a guaranteed contract (unlikely), or has simply inked a training camp deal (similar to yesterday’s Shabazz signing). (UPDATE: Matt Velazquez reports that it very much appears to be a non-guaranteed camp contract.)
Christian Wood's deal with the Bucks is expected to be in the same vein as Shabazz Muhammad's, per source. Latest for the JS: Bucks set to bring in summer-league standout Christian Wood https://t.co/SWLP2MRsTT via @journalsentinel
— Matt Velazquez (@Matt_Velazquez) August 15, 2018
Either way, Bucks fans have been excited about the prospect of Wood, since he earned a spot on the Summer League 1st Team averaging 20.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in five games. Bucks fans are enamored with his combination of size, speed, and production, and Christian Wood optimists might look at Tyler Zeller’s non-guaranteed 2018-19 contract and see a possibility for Wood to take his roster spot.
Then again, as the aforementioned Eric Nehm has mentioned ad nauseam, there isn’t much playing time available for Wood in Milwaukee. As a combo big (which might be generous), his time at the 4 is limited by the presence of Giannis Antetokounmpo and (to a lesser extent) Ersan Ilyasova, and even if he takes Zeller’s place, the Bucks still have Thon Maker, John Henson, and Brook Lopez at the 5. There simply aren’t many minutes to go around in the front court, and unless Wood excels in camp and avoids it entirely, he might be destined for another tour in the G-League.
As always, the Bucks are here to pull us out of the summer doldrums. How lucky are we?!