The Lakers have struggled in the first quarter of the season, struggling with injuries, finishing seventh in the West and just 2 years behind the Thunder, who are second in the WestWith 0 wins, this is undoubtedly an impressive result. However, considering the sheer intensity of the schedule puts an extra strain on the players' bodies, the gradual return of injured players has allowed the Lakers to get through the toughest part of the season. For Lakers fans, this is already good news, as Vanderbilt and Reddish have returned, Hachimura will also return to the court, and Vincent, the only one who has not yet returned, will also be reviewed.
This means that the Lakers have a full roster, and fans will soon get a glimpse of the new look of the team. However, with the return of injured players, the rotation of the team will also change, and some players may have less playing time or even drop out of the rotation. Christian Wood, for example, is dwindling in his playing days, playing just 11 minutes in the win over the Rockets and performing unsatisfactorily. In contrast, Vanderbilt has been given more playing time since his comeback, which has left Wood in a difficult time.
Having faced a market snub and ended up signing a two-year, $5.75 million base salary contract with the Lakers, it is clear that he realizes that flashy numbers don't equate to a lucrative contract, and that returning to the court will need to provide a more positive impact. After joining the Lakers, Wood's role changed, and his main task was no longer to score, but to play better on the defensive end. As a result, Wood needs to redefine himself and reinvent himself, especially to build confidence and improve defensive efficiency on the defensive end, while becoming more efficient on the offensive end and reducing unnecessary individual performances.
Only then will he be able to redeem himself and bring more value to the team.