In the shocking trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, former champion Anthony Davis was shipped out to the Dallas Mavericks. While these two were rightfully the headliners of the trade, there were other notable pieces to the trade. This includes Max Christie, who was enjoying a breakout campaign in Los Angeles before the trade.
Since joining Dallas, the Illinois native has taken another leap. Through eight games, Christie is averaging 15.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.1 steals with the Mavericks. Additionally, he is shooting 50% from the field and 43.6% from the three-point line. On Tuesday night, he will take on his former team for the first time since the trade. Naturally, many players view these types of games as a revenge game. However, Christie feels the complete opposite.
In a recent interview with Andscape’s Marc Spears, Christie revealed that he does not consider Tuesday’s game “a revenge game.” Instead, Christie said he is “looking forward” to seeing his old team.
“I’m not even looking at this game as a ‘revenge game,’” Christie said. “I’m actually looking forward to it from a sense that I get to see old teammates, old colleagues, old coaches. I’m looking forward to just enjoying that game. I want to win, obviously. The Lakers are a playoff team. They’re really, really good. It’s a good test for us as a matchup, as a team as well.”
“But I’m not going in there with any bad blood or any intention of trying to drop 40 on them. I’m just going in there to try to win the game, play my game and let the game come to me. I’m not going to go out there and force 25 shots. That’s not what this game is about. That’s not what I’m about.”
Max Christie Takes Surprising Route On ‘Revenge Game’ vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Max Christie Gets Real About Trade to the Dallas Mavericks
In the same interview, Christie opened up about getting traded to Dallas. The Michigan State alum revealed that he “got zero seconds of sleep” on the night of the trade.
“I had my suspicions when I got that call,” Christie, 22, told Andscape after a 126-102 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. “The emotions at that moment obviously were pretty overwhelming. And then going back to the hotel room, I got zero seconds of sleep that night. I was up from 12 [a.m.] to 8:15 [a.m.] I had a flight the next morning at 8:30 to go to Dallas.”
Additionally, Christie revealed that he “was in denial” at first.
Before the trade, Christie had spent parts of three seasons in Los Angeles and was blossoming into a solid contributor. A trade this major would shock anybody, especially a player like Christie.
The Last Word
While all eyes will be on Luka Doncic as he takes on his former team as well, it will be worth monitoring Christie. He is playing the best basketball of his NBA career right now and should only continue to get better. Christie is just 22 years old and has come into his own. After Tuesday night, Christie will have just one more opportunity to take on his former team this season in April.
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