The Lakers’ starting lineup has fluctuated throughout the first quarter of the season, with JJ Redick struggling to get his team into a flow with injuries and other absences. Prior to the team’s game against the red hot Memphis Grizzlies, he outlined what the ideal fifth starter looks like:
“…ideally, we’d want that fifth guy to be a complementary piece to the other four guys. And that complementary piece most likely looks like a point-of-attack defender. A guy that doesn’t need the ball in his hands. He’s gonna play hard, he’s gonna pick up fullcourt. Could shoot 3’s. So yeah, we’re trying to find some level of consistency for the group. And that fifth guy, if there’s somebody that can sort of find consistency individually, we’d like that spot to remain with the same guy.”
One particular Laker played that role to a tee last night, leading many to wonder if he’s the missing piece to their complicated puzzle.
The Lakers May Have Found Their Fifth Starter
Boosting the First Five to the “Max”
After two years mostly stuck on the bench, Max Christie has been given more freedom under Redick. The 21-year-old former Michigan State Spartan is averaging 6.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 20.3 minutes per game, and he recorded his third straight start and fourth of the season last night against Memphis.
Christie finished with seven points, two rebounds, one assist and one block against the Grizzlies, but even more impressive was his torture-chamber-like defense on star Ja Morant. Morant may have scored 20 points, but he did so on 6/21 shooting from the field in 31 minutes—a testament to Christie’s effort containing him throughout the night.
Max Christie was phenomenal as a POA defender vs Ja Morant
Displayed good lateral agility + vertical contests
Slotting Max w/appropriate defensive matchups is paramount IMO
Can be really impactful when not facing a size/strength deficit vs wings and bigger guards pic.twitter.com/t73tEZSBLS
— LAbound (@LAbound2) December 16, 2024
Max Christie's defense, often against Ja but throughout the entire game, has been sensational. He's making a serious case for a permanent place in the starting lineup. AK
— Kamenetzky Brothers (@KamBrothers) December 16, 2024
Christie’s play garnered well-deserved praise from his teammates and coaches postgame.
Austin Reaves praised Max Christie for his "phenomenal" defense on Ja Morant tonight.
"You want to see a kid like that succeed. Good kid, puts all the work in… I think he was the first guy in the gym this morning getting shots up."
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) December 16, 2024
JJ Redick: "Max Christie in particular on ball was fantastic tonight"
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) December 16, 2024
Redick added that starting Christie over fellow guard Gabe Vincent “wasn’t an easy decision.”
“We really feel like, as a staff, Gabe has been fantastic the last couple weeks, with his physicality and on-ball stuff. And also, he’s had some good offensive games as well. I just think the size and just the athleticism and the fact that, you know, Max has a really good feel for the game and he can move, [that] was important.”
Christie’s Growth Makes Him Worthy Candidate
Though he didn’t confirm whether Christie would be a mainstay in the starting lineup, Redick addressed how the increased opportunities have benefited the fourth-year guard this season:
“In terms of, you know, his long term outlook and his growth, I think these opportunities are great for him. You know, I’ll reference the Oklahoma City game where, you know, he made a mistake at the end. And we play a week later in Atlanta. and you know, he’s in the sort of the same situation at the end of regulation, and he gets a block on Trae Young. So, you know, with young guys, these opportunities are great for them to grow not only in confidence but also just the learned experience and the learned knowledge of being in different situations.”
Christie has already found himself in various situations over the course of his career, all contributing to his growth one way or another. His recent performances as a starter—including a season-high 15 points in LA’s loss to Minnesota—highlight his willingness to compete, and he gives the team more flexibility and energy than it had in the past.
Christie’s scoring, defense, athleticism and overall fit make him an ideal candidate for that fifth starting spot in the lineup, bringing qualities that Vincent or rookie Dalton Knecht have lacked at this point. His recent track record shows he has what it takes to thrive alongside LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves. His ability to take on the opponents’ best player—and do so with remarkable results—takes a significant load off of his teammates and allows them to focus on their assignments. He also fits into the offensive flow as an aggressive scorer who can occasionally space the floor.
The Last Word
While the Lakers should still spend their time improving the roster via trades, it’s clear they still believe in Christie, trusting him enough to start alongside stars and make the most of his opportunities—-which is all the team can ask for as they go through growing pains of a new era.
