Despite seeing minimal action over the last two seasons, many Lakers fans still hoped that Max Christie would stick around as he entered free agency. He allowed fans to breathe a sigh of relief before the offseason officially commenced, re-signing with the purple and gold on a four-year, $32 million contract.
Now, Christie has outlined what made him stay with the Lakers, who have had a stagnant offseason despite hopes of adding help for LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Promising Lakers Guard Explains Decision to Stay
Max Christie: “We’re Building Something Great Here”
In an interview with Spectrum Sportsnet’s Allie Clifton, Christie reiterated his belief in the franchise that drafted him with the 35th overall pick in 2022.
“I wanted to come back. We’re building something great here. We got two big dogs in LeBron and AD. We got a fiery new coaching staff that I really like so far, I’ve been getting along with them really well. It was just great to get that done right before free agency started. I’m happy to be back. I’ve been working here for a while now, and I’m happy to get the new season rolling.”
Christie also reflected on his second season in the league, one marked by limited opportunities despite his seemingly unlimited potential. Across 67 games (7 starts), the former Michigan State Spartan put up 4.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 14.1 minutes per game. He shot 42% from the field, 35% from three and 78% from the free-throw line. He noted one of the biggest lessons from last year went beyond the physical side of basketball.
“How important the mental game is for me, how confident I feel right now. And that’s really a big byproduct of what I’ve worked on this summer. It’s been a big part of my mental game. I feel like I have the skills—offensively I shoot the ball pretty well and defensively, I’m athletic enough and I have the instincts to guard people. So, for me, I think it’s having the confidence to put that into action this year when I am out there on the floor, so I’m excited for that.”
Christie Poised for Strong Season
Considering the current state of the Lakers’ roster, it appears Christie could see an uptick in minutes sooner rather than later, with some believing he could have a breakout season.
Christie has already shown flashes of what he can do when given the chance. The league’s tracking data highlights his growth on the offensive end of the floor. The 21-year-old nailed 40% of his catch-and-shoot jumpers last season, a critical skill next to James and Davis. He also shot 64% in the paint and 41% on drives, and ultimately holds an effective field goal percentage of 51.3%. Maintaining that efficiency will be essential towards Christie’s growth this year. He could turn into a reliable option for the Lakers’ second unit or, if needed, the starting lineup.
Christie was just as solid on the defensive end of the floor, where he displayed a knack for containing opposing guards with his length and agility. However, the following video from Laker Film Room brought up a key revelation: while Christie is great at contesting jumpers, he struggled to guard players who would attack his chest or speed right past him. Those are two areas he can improve on in camp and preseason, and there’s no doubt he’ll do so before opening night.
For head coach JJ Redick—who has harped on player development from the moment he was introduced—unlocking Christie’s two-way potential would be excellent for both parties. Christie would finally receive legitimate minutes instead of being buried on the bench, and Redick would turn his words into actions by helping young players on the rise.
