When the Los Angeles Lakers determined to increase Max Christie to a four-year, $32 million deal after a season the place he averaged simply 14 minutes per recreation, it was clear the entrance workplace was banking on his potential. The well-known franchise selected to maintain the now third-year participant reasonably than Taurean Prince, who shined at instances for the Lakers a season in the past.
The Lakers’ first preseason recreation this 12 months, a 124-107 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, confirmed indicators that the Lakers might probably get a strong return on their younger funding. All through the offseason, the Los Angeles employees and coaches have raved about Christie’s progress, which was on full show in opposition to the Timberwolves on Friday. The third-year wing from Michigan State put collectively a whole recreation. He recorded a statistic in each main class.
Max Christie vs. the Timberwolves:
11 factors
5-9 FG
1-5 3PT
7 RECs
2 BLACK
2AST
1 STLMax appeared very snug on the pitch, appeared much more aggressive on each ends, however actually favored the way in which he performed in protection, with a way of urgency and dedication, I am positive JJ may have it at 20… pic.twitter.com/OfAte910El
– LakeShow Highlights (@LSH_lakeshow) October 5, 2024
“Tonight was type of a great climax,” Christie stated, in keeping with Jovan Buha of The Athletic. “It was good to truly see the primary recreation of the season and see issues go my means.”
In the course of the Lakers’ postgame scrimmage, head coach JJ Redick was happy with Christie’s efficiency in opposition to the Timberwolves as a result of it confirmed that the potential the employees noticed in him was starting to blossom below their eyes.
“Max is an outdated soul,” Redick stated. “He’s sensible and mature and he takes this very severely. And I actually like that about him. So it is no shock to me that in a recreation like this, the place he performs a number of minutes, he would not put his head down, he simply retains competing. He will be very beneficial for us this 12 months.
Christie might need the best two-way upside of any participant on the Lakers roster not named LeBron James or Anthony Davis. Christie’s athleticism, coupled with the flexibility he provides, might put him in a task the place he’s the Lakers’ main cease on the perimeter.
“He’s [JJ Redick] requested me to be a little bit little bit of that canine on protection, to take over the entire area,” Christie stated. “I attempted to do some little bit of that tonight. There is a consolation degree that I’ll get a little bit extra snug with. I have not actually completed that a lot in my profession.
As Christie continues to satisfy his potential, he might push one of many Lakers’ starters to the bench, particularly if he is ready to translate his improvement onto the basketball courtroom.
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