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[Saba Sports News] Now entering his third NBA season, Max Christie has yet to play a significant role for the Lakers, spending much of his rookie year in the G League and playing sparingly last season. However, with new head coach JJ Redick, Christie is poised to take on a larger role.
Seen as the guard with the most potential off the Lakers’ bench, Christie secured a four-year, $32 million contract this offseason, reflecting the team’s commitment to his development. With Austin Reaves sidelined due to an ankle injury, Christie started against the Bucks in preseason, scoring eight points in 15 minutes and hitting both his three-point attempts.
After Saturday’s practice, Christie commented on his comfort with the starters: “It felt comfortable…just kind of stepping into that same role and being the utility guy.”
Offensively, Christie has shown promise as a three-point shooter, hitting 41.9% as a rookie and 35.6% last season. Early in the preseason, he’s taking more threes, averaging around five attempts per game. Coach Redick has challenged the team to shoot more from deep, which aligns well with Christie’s skill set.
Defensively, Christie’s size, strength, and wingspan make him an ideal wing defender, capable of forcing turnovers and matching up with larger players. In preseason games, he’s shown versatility, including full-court defense against the Suns.
Christie’s potential for a breakout season is high, especially as the Lakers, who made no free agent signings this offseason, are looking for internal improvements. His development could elevate the team’s overall ceiling.