The Lakers have not moved this summer. No free agent signings have been reported. Some have been extended, including Max Christiewith a $32 million contract for four additional players. A fairly large sum for a young player who, after two seasons, has not yet shown much (3.8 points average).
“It was cool. The negotiations were between me, JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka,” he tellsciting the franchise's coach and GM. “We were trying to get on the same page because I wanted to be a Laker. We have a really good team and I wanted to be a part of it.”
The departures of Taurean Prince and Spencer Dinwiddie have therefore not been compensated, which will give Max Christie greater opportunities. And after a 32 million extension, the pressure and expectations will be greater.
“We want to get to the point where, with so much repetition, the body reacts naturally,” he says, speaking of his summer job. “I noticed, during my first two seasons, with the videos, that when I think, then I slow down and I make mistakes. As soon as I play liberated and I read the situations naturally, that's when I'm at my best.”
“I like the idea of coming back with the same group. On paper, we are a good team, really good”
The Lakers' guard must also continue to work in defense, where his wingspan (2m06) and mobility can be valuable. “When you're defending the opponent's best player, all the plays are for us. You have to fight in the screens, so it's tiring, it's hard, especially when you're running after shooters. It's exhausting.”
As Los Angeles did not seek new blood on the market this summer, the management will bet on the eye of JJ Redick, and also on the continuity and progression of the youngsters, including Max Christie, to progress and move forward.
“If we look at the pattern of teams that have won the title recently, they are mostly teams that have kept the same squad for a while,” analyzes the 21-year-old player. “I like the idea of coming back with the same group. On paper, we're a good team, really good. We made the playoffs two years in a row, coming up against a Denver team that gave us problems. We're not far off.”
| Max Christie | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | LAL | 41 | 13 | 41.5 | 41.9 | 87.5 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 3.1 |
| 2023-24 | LAL | 67 | 14 | 42.7 | 35.6 | 78.3 | 0.2 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 4.2 |
| Total | 108 | 14 | 42.4 | 37.8 | 80.6 | 0.2 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 3.8 | |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
