Ideal but risky Wembanyama replacement was just released by Lakers

A large problem for this San Antonio roster just got larger with the announcement that Victor Wembanyama will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season. This team has several issues, but one of the most glaring is their lack of frontcourt depth, particularly at the center position. After trading Zach Collins at the deadline and the injury to Charles Bassey, SA doesn't have many places to turn.

They'll have to scour the market for free agent talent who may fit the team. Bismack Biyombo is on the last day of his 10-day contract, and he'll need to be re-signed, but that can't be the only move the front office makes. Christian Wood was recently released from the Los Angeles Lakers to make room for Alex Len, and the Spurs should check into his rehab to see if he's almost ready to play.

Wood is recovering from an injury of his own but fits Spurs offense

There's no such thing as replacing a player as talented as Victor Wembanyama with one person. If you combined the talents of Bismack Biyombo and Christian Wood, you still wouldn't have a player as talented as the Alien. That's what makes him special. But between them, you would have an offensive talent and a defensive anchor to rotate between, depending on the matchup.

Wood's injury took place last season. He missed the final two months of the year due to an arthroscopic knee surgery. The Lakers released him because he has yet to return, and after they made that trade for Luka Doncic, they were in a hurry to get Luka a big man to play with, so they cleared a roster spot for Alex Len.

However, the most recent reports on Wood's status indicate he was making great progress and was even participating in on-court drills. He's worth a look. If he's close to returning to the court, he would be a nice fit offensively alongside De'Aaron Fox. Drafted by Houston, Wood is a career 37% 3pt shooter.

His ability to stretch the floor pairs perfectly with Fox's downhill style of play. He's not a defensive stalwart, but he's serviceable. He's averaged a block or more in four of the eight seasons he's been in the league. The stretch big was only signed to a 2-year, $5.7 million deal, so he'd also be affordable for the Silver and Black.

There isn't going to be some star who comes off the street to produce crazy numbers for the Spurs, but they could at least get a guy who is young enough to run the floor and skilled enough to hit a few open shots. That's everything you could hope for at this point in the season.