Philadelphia 76ers Christian Wood Playing for Keeps

Nov 9, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Christian Wood (35) in a game against the Chicago Bulls at Wells Fargo Center. The Bulls won 111-88. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Christian Wood (35) in a game against the Chicago Bulls at Wells Fargo Center. The Bulls won 111-88. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia 76ers forward Christian Wood (35) grabs the ball over Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) and forward Luis Scola (4) in the first quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia 76ers forward Christian Wood (35) grabs the ball over Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) and forward Luis Scola (4) in the first quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Land of Opportunity

All he needed was an opportunity.  Despite being given a chance with the Philadelphia 76ers last season, his minutes on the court were limited, he was playing behind Landry, Holmes, and the short straw of either Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor.  Eventually, Okafor’s injury at the end of February did give him a chance to experience the NBA.

But not the chance to thrive with the chance.

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And so, he was not offered a qualifying offer by the team and found himself back to square one.  His future in the NBA is fogged over now.  He is back to the young man desperate to realize his dream of playing in the NBA.  He simply needs the opportunity to do so, again.

Ah, but there it is,  He doesn’t have an NBA contract for the 2016-2017 season yet, but he has something, , he has one opportunity.  He was offered the opportunity to play with the Philadelphia 76ers in summer league – both at Utah and at Las Vegas.  With any luck, and with some lights out performances, he might earn his way back onto a roster spot for the team.

With one of three games remaining to play in Salt Lake City, UT, he now needs to find some luck.

In 17 appearances with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2015-2016, Wood averaged 3.6 points and 2.2 rebounds while shooting 41.5 percent from the floor and 36.4 percent from the three-point line. During his time with the Delaware 87ers he dominated, averaging 17.3 points and 9.4 rebounds in 32 games.  Right now, he’s playing like his D-League form.

Next: Summer Sunshine