Restricted free agent Max Christie plans to sign the Lakers’ four-year contract offer, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets. The deal is worth approximately $32MM and will include a player option in the final year.
It’s a strong commitment by the Lakers to Christie, an early second-round selection in 2022. Christie appeared in 41 games as a rookie, then spent much of last season in the rotation. He posted averages of 4.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 67 regular-season games, including seven starts. Christie has made 37.8% of his 3-pointers, a total of 180 attempts in all, during his two seasons.
Christie made the jump to the NBA after a one-and-done season at Michigan State. Still just 21 years old, Christie offers good size (6’5”) at the shooting guard spot and could see his role expand under new head coach J.J. Redick, though he’ll have plenty of competition — including first-round pick Dalton Knecht — for minutes behind Austin Reaves.
The Lakers extended a $2.3MM qualifying offer this weekend to Christie to make him an RFA. His younger brother Cam Christie was drafted in the second round by the Clippers on Thursday.
Christie’s contract will put the Lakers approximately $39MM below the $178.1MM first tax apron, but that doesn’t include LeBron James and Bronny James, cap expert Yossi Gozlan notes (Twitter link).
32M to rack up 4 pts a game.
Limited minutes, but even his per 36 numbers don’t look worth it to me
Max Christie 4 years $32 million is a great deal for him. It may sound like a lot but it’s actually going to be a bargain because he’s a 3 and D guy!!!
To be paid for barely doing anything of value is wild.
LAL being over the cap they can only spend on their own. He will be used in a trade for salary reasons.
I’m surprised they remembered he existed…Wonder if any of their young wings will get rotation opportunities this year, or if it will be more of the same
8 million per season… is this for future salary matching?
Imo Knecht will be starting soon.
Terrible deal really, this money should’ve gone to Jonas Valaucanes or CP3