The Lakers have signed Max Christie, the 35th pick of last month’s draft, according to Kyle Goon of The Southern California News Group (Twitter link). The Lakers drafted him after acquiring the 35th pick from the Magic in exchange for a 2028 second-rounder and cash.
Christie was a highly-touted prospect entering college last season, but he struggled a bit in his freshman season for Michigan State, averaging 9.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG and 1.5 APG on .382/.317/.824 shooting in 35 games (30.8 MPG). With the caveat that it’s Summer League (therefore disorganized), in three contests (22.7 MPG) at the California Classic in San Francisco, Christie averaged 6 PPG, 7.7 RPG and 2 APG while shooting 25% from the floor.
Still, Los Angeles’ front office is high on the 19-year-old, with GM Rob Pelinka calling him a “consensus” choice with the team’s lone draft pick.
The terms of Christie’s deal were not disclosed, but the Lakers used their taxpayer mid-level exception to sign Lonnie Walker and are now limited to minimum-salary deals, so a two-year, minimum contract seems likely.
Considering he’s only 19 and the Lakers are trying to contend, Christie will probably spend a good amount of time in the G League this season with L.A.’s affiliate, South Bay.
The Lakers have undergone a roster overhaul of their role players in free agency thus far after going 33-49 and missing out on the postseason in 2021/22, reportedly prioritizing speed, defense and shooting with the signings of Lonnie Walker, Troy Brown Jr., Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones and Thomas Bryant.
They’re kind of relying on him right now, with Reaves and JTA (even though he is more of a 4) unless they can add the 3 and D wing they need
I like him defensively right now, and I think he can shoot out of the corner, but he needs to be more consistent with his shot, among other things, and it’s tough to see necessarily relying on him this year, although I liked him in the draft
…I’ll also add that I think they have a few interesting players on their summer league roster, but mostly at positions they dont really need. I dont get why Austin Reaves isnt playing in summer league with those guys. He could really benefit from 2-3 games
I agree. He and a few others should be playing
Why didn’t Westbrook play in Vegas Summer League?
He needs to be fixed by Coach Ham
Those Warriors played in nba Finals and summer league
The stuff wrong with him and his game isn’t gonna be fixed by playing pointless games vs 18-22 year olds over the summer.
Westbrook 19-20 mid range shooting
10-16ft: .404%
16-22ft: .402%
If not fixed in summer,
my prediction
10-16ft: .304%
16-22ft: .302%
Ham can fix one of the 4 fault in summer
Basketball IQ
turnover
shooting
defense
It will be too late if in Octobeer.
Russ is stubborn and lacks self awareness. He thinks that it’s ok to brick layups and take bad jumpshots. And he also thinks that playing defense is about ball watching and leaving the opposing shooters wide open from the perimeter.
Leaving the opposing shooters wide open because Westbrook wants to grab rebounds,
Can’t average a triple double without them, right? ;0)
According to informed sources, despite him being a second round draft choice the Lakers signed Christie to a ………………………………………………
MAX CONTRACT !!