The Lakers have kicked off the start of free agency by keeping one of their second-round success stories. Guard Max Christie has agreed to remain in LA on a four-year, $32 million contract.
ESPN Sources: Restricted free agent G Max Christie intends to sign a four-year, $32 million deal to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers. Deal includes player option. Christie — 35th pick in the 2022 draft — has shown promise as a future LA rotation player. pic.twitter.com/75Y86oszJa
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2024
Lakers Re-Sign Promising Young Player to Multi-Year Deal
Christie Can Thrive Next Season
The 35th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Christie has been largely kept out of the rotation the last two years, only gaining opportunities whenever injuries arose. In 67 games and 14.1 minutes per contest, the 21-year-old averaged 4.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. He shot 42.7% from the field, 35.6% from three and 78.3% from the free-throw line.
Christie barely got minutes in the first round against the Nuggets, leading to disappointment from not only the fans, but himself. As he said in his exit interview:
“I really wanted to be out there for sure. Tonight sucks just seeing us get eliminated because I really feel like I could help this team. But I think that’s what everybody feels like when they’re not playing. Everybody wants to be out there.”
Those remarks—in a remarkably short appearance—summed up the entire season for Christie.
Under new head coach JJ Redick, whose coaching philosophy places a heavy emphasis on player development, Christie can easily thrive heading into his third season. He’s already shown glimpses of the player he could become, reaching a season-high 14 points against both the Heat and Suns in early January. Christie displayed tremendous improvement in his defense, playmaking and shooting, as well as bursts of athleticism that led to highlight-worthy moments.
4 more years of this demon
Free of Ham rotations we letting the world know about Max Christie pic.twitter.com/kyJ5MD0OAN
— † (@HoodiHachimura) June 30, 2024
Keeping Christie on such a team-friendly deal also ensures much-needed depth at shooting guard. No matter who else the Lakers get in free agency, there’s still a high chance the 21-year-old receives more consistent minutes, with the potential to get meaningful time on the court instead of coming in at the end of blowouts. The fact that his younger brother, Cam Christie, will start his career with the Clippers is an added bonus.
The Last Word on Max Christie
Max Christie’s youth and potential are all exciting signs for the Lakers and their fans, and he could very well make a similar jump that teammate Austin Reaves did in his third year. In a time of high pressure for the Lakers brass, they made the perfect move keeping Christie around for four more years.
