REPORT: Ed Stefanski, Pistons Confident They Can Re-Sign Christian Wood In Offseason

On Friday, Christian Wood had his contract guaranteed for the remainder of the season. It was the final step necessary in cementing himself as a player in the NBA. Those steps began back in training camp when he beat out the heavily favored veteran, Joe Johnson, for the final spot on Detroit's roster. But the Pistons are already looking past Friday. They've turned their attention to the offseason, when according to Vincent Ellis of The Detroit Free Press, the Pistons are confident they can re-sign the uber-athletic big man. From Ellis:

The Pistons are confident they will be able to re-sign Wood, 24, but he said he will keep his options open.

Stefanski also made it clear to Wood that he is Detroit's future plans.

“He told me he was going to try and re-sign me for next year, but we’ll see how it goes,” said Christian Wood.

In 36 games with the Pistons, he has averaged 9.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. He is shooting a career-high 57.8% from the field and has been serviceable from beyond the arc, knocking down 35.7% of his 3-point attempts. https://youtu.be/EGNF9nNyO1k Wood is making just under $1.65 million this season. Ellis also laid out the numbers on what the Pistons could offer Wood in the offseason:

With the Early Bird exception, the Pistons can offer Wood a first-year salary for either 175% of his salary the previous season, or the NBA's average salary, whichever is greater. The higher number will be the NBA’s average salary, which is projected to be $9.7 million next season. The contract offer must be for at least two seasons.

Wood, 24, has been one of the few bright spots for the Pistons this year, and Detroit would like to keep him around moving forward. https://open.spotify.com/episode/4jVWXgrjqDl2jGNKkszJBb Featured Image: Tim Fuller/USA TODAY Sports