NBA NEWSUPDATE: Christian Wood injury has caused th…
Christian Wood injury may be a blessing in disguise for the Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are coming out of the All-Star Break looking to continue the momentum that the team had going into it. However, just like most of the first half, the Lakers are going to be tested as several members of the rotation are dealing with injuries.
In addition to the injuries that the Lakers were already dealing with, the purple and gold have to open the second half on Thursday without LeBron James. James has a lingering ankle injury. LeBron is not alone, however, as Christian Wood has also hit the injury report and will be out at least two weeks with left knee effusion.
When it rains it pours and the Lakers know that all to well this season. With LeBron, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Cam Reddish all also out, the Lakers frontcourt is really going to be tested. As daunting as it may seem, though, it could end up being a blessing in disguise.
Christian Wood injury should give Colin Castleton a chance on the Lakers
The Lakers do not have many more options than to play the two-way center against the Golden State Warriors. Granted, if there was ever a time to be forced to go small it is against Golden State but the opponent should not change the fact that Castleton should play.
Castleton has passed every test for the Lakers thus far. After playing very well in the NBA Summer League and in the preseason, the rookie center has put together a very promising season for the South Bay Lakers. Castleton may not be someone who the Lakers want to play in a playoff series, but he can help keep the team afloat as a depth piece.
Los Angeles does not even need Castleton to do that much. The team still has Jaxson Hayes to log most of the big minutes alongside Anthony Davis. But with LeBron out and the myriad of other injuries, it would not hurt to throw Castleton 12-15 minutes and see what he has.
And this is where the diamond in the rough factor could come to play. There is no team in the league better at finding hidden gems than the Lakers. But these hidden gems cannot reveal themselves unless they are given the chance to play at the NBA level.
This is not to say that Castleton will be the next Austin Reaves, but he has more than earned a chance at real playing time in the NBA. And with how well he has played in the G League, it is not crazy to think that Castleton can prove his worth as a valuable rotation player while Wood is out.