During the NBA Summer League, rising Los Angeles Lakers sophomore Max Christie said his goal was to be in the team’s regular-season rotation. New reporting from The Athletic indicates that his wish may be granted sooner than later.
Lakers Rotation Battles: Max Christie vs Cam Reddish
Max Christie: Sophomore Leap Incoming
After an impressive summer that saw Christie average 19.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game, it was enough to put him on notice for the Lakers’ brass, who now see him as part of the regular season rotation if his development stays in the right direction, according to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha.
“His ascension is an X-factor in the rotation,” Buha wrote. “If he can continue to develop as a shot creator and playmaker, he has a chance to carve out a significant role given his 3-point shooting and defensive ability. The Lakers are confident he can grow into being the team’s eighth or ninth man next season.”
Buha also noted the Lakers are “higher on” Christie than young wing Cam Reddish, who was signed this offseason for his size and potential.
For a team that prioritizes in-house development, Christie is another success story for the purple and gold. He has put the time and effort into growing his skill set and body, not only relying on open looks from three but finishing through contact at an impressive rate. His defensive numbers—particularly the 1.6 blocks—were equally surprising. Lastly, his growth as a facilitator and leader makes him a prime candidate for a spot in Darvin Ham’s rotation, either as a backup shooting guard or small forward.
Christie’s growth on both ends of the floor certainly warrants him in consideration to back up one of Austin Reaves or LeBron James, but what about Reddish and what he brings to the table?
Cam Reddish: Room to Grow
At 23, journeyman Reddish will play for his fourth team in five years. He has grown on both ends of the floor throughout his career, doing most of his scoring inside the arc while playing decent defense in the frontcourt.
Though Reddish can generate his own looks, he is reliant on the facilitating of others, as evidenced by his 77% assisted field goals with the Portland Trail Blazers last season. Additionally, Reddish is more of a paint scorer than a midrange or three-point threat, having converted 46% of his points in the paint last year, including bursts of athleticism that will surely delight the Lakers faithful. Still, Reddish must grow as a shooter overall. He shot only 31% from deep and barely utilized his midrange jumper. Being a catch-and-shoot threat is great, but Reddish’s ability to create his shots will be critical to his success.
On the other side, though Reddish has averaged two steals per game throughout his career, he still has room to grow in terms of versatility. Reddish must hone in on his rim protection, having tallied only 14 blocks last season (0.4 per game). He has to keep holding his own in the paint and on the perimeter to be a positive for the Lakers on defense.
Due to his limitations, it makes sense why Reddish isn’t favored over Christie for a spot in next year’s rotation. The addition of Taurean Prince, a six-foot-seven 3-and-D wing entering his eighth season, complicates matters considerably.
Reddish’s Potential Role
Still, Reddish could make an impact for the Lakers as a plug-and-play option. Offering Reddish sporadic minutes behind James, Christie, and Prince could significantly boost his development. He still holds value as an athletic scorer near the basket, and his steals from the passing lanes can easily generate fast breaks. If Reddish can display growth during training camp, then the gap between him and Christie can decrease in no time, and the race intensifies from there.
The Last Word
As of now, Christie has shown he deserves a rotational spot over Reddish, who will have to prove himself over Christie and the veteran Prince. The battle between the two promising players will be one to watch. Still, at the moment, the Lakers are making the proper move considering Christie for an increased opportunity, one he has definitely earned.
