The Los Angeles Lakers enter the 2024-25 NBA season as the only team in the league that did not sign any free agents in the offseason. That means they’ll be looking for standout performances from important players. Max Christie, in particular, is a player from whom the Lakers should anticipate huge things this season.
Christie is in his third year in the NBA and has yet to play a significant role in the Lakers’ rotation. As a rookie, he played extensively in the G League for the South Bay Lakers. He played sparingly last season. However, under new head coach JJ Redick, Christie should play a larger role for the Lakers.
Simply put, he is likely the most promising guard on the Lakers’ bench. In free agency this offseason, Max Christie signed a four-year, $32 million contract to stay with the Lakers. The team clearly cares about his progress. This is the year when their investment starts to show results.
Christie made his preseason debut against the Milwaukee Bucks this week, as Austin Reaves was nursing an ankle ailment. He had a solid effort of eight points in 15 minutes, shooting 2-of-2 from the three-point line.
Christie discussed his degree of comfort with the starting lineup during Saturday’s Lakers practice.
“It felt comfortable, kind of just stepping in while AR was out, just kind of stepping into that same role and kind of being the utility guy,” Christie told the media. “I’ve played with these guys for two years now, so I kind of know how they play. . .what I can do to help them.”
Max Christie can assist the Lakers significantly on the attacking end. Last year, the Lakers needed someone who could regularly knock down three-pointers, and Christie can help there.
Christie shot extremely well from three-point range despite his limited playing time in his first two seasons. He made 41.9 percent of his long-range attempts as a rookie and 35.6 percent last season. That was based on roughly two attempts each game, indicating a tiny sample size.
Christie is hitting 33.3 percent of his three-point shots in the early part of the preseason. According to Robert Marvi of LeBron Wire, Lakers head coach JJ Redick has urged his players to shoot more three-pointers. Christie’s average of five to six attempts per game is generally a good sign.
However, Christie has a more varied skill set on the offensive end. During preseason games, he demonstrated his ability to make smart reads, handle the ball, and make plays off the dribble, going to the basket and shooting floaters.
Max Christie may be a good defender for the Lakers.
Christie can play well as a wing defender on the other end of the court. He’s a physical player who can force turnovers. He has good size as well; he is muscular and has a lengthy wingspan, allowing him to compete with larger wings.
Christie is unusual in that no other wing or guard on the squad possesses his offensive and defensive abilities, as well as his size and length. Christie might perhaps be deployed as a defensive stopper this season.
Christie demonstrated his ability to pick up the ball full court during the Lakers’ first preseason game against the Phoenix Suns.
Christie undoubtedly has the most potential of all of the Lakers’ young players. His improvement has the potential to significantly raise the team’s ceiling. And he’s in an ideal situation to have a breakout season.
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