Few challenges have been as difficult for JJ Redick to overcome early in 2024-25 as the task of properly incorporating Max Christie into the rotation. The Los Angeles Lakers guard was re-signed to a four-year, $32 million deal earlier this year, but he's thus far struggled to provide positive minutes.
Thankfully, over the past three games, Christie has come into his own as the proverbial glue guy off the bench—even when his shot hasn't been falling.
Entering the Lakers' recent three-game stretch, Christie had been established as something of a liability. Los Angeles was being outscored by an absurd margin of 25.4 points per 100 possessions when he was on the court, and were outscoring opponents by 8.9 when he wasn't.
For as promising as his upside is, that 34.3-point swing was simply too much for the Lakers to overlook as they searched for ways to fix their flawed second unit.
The past three games have been the proverbial changing of the tide. During that time, the Lakers have outscored opponents by a team-best 13.3 points per 100 possessions when Christie has been on the court—and are being outscored by 5.0 when he hasn't been.
It's been a quiet development, but one that effectively confirms that the 21-year-old shooting guard can still provide the value the Lakers believe he can.
Max Christie has gone from unplayable to invaluable to the Lakers
Entering the recent three-game stretch, Christie had played four or fewer minutes in three of the previous four outings. Injuries created space in the rotation, however, and the former Michigan State Spartans standout immediately capitalized.
Christie kicked off his recent string of success by scoring a season-high 11 points in 30 minutes, adding two steals and a block to his tally.
Christie has scored a combined three points in the two games since, but his impact has remained consistently positive. His defensive intensity has been essential to team success, with six steals and four blocks acting as a statistical example of his contributions.
Even beyond the numbers, however, has been a player who's willing to get his hands dirty and take on the tough assignments to alleviate pressure from the scorers and playmakers around him.
In an ideal world, Christie's three-point shooting will catch up with his defense, thus making him the 3-and-D player the Lakers envision him becoming. Considering he's a career 36.5 percent shooter from beyond the arc, there's ample reason to believe that will transpire.
In the meantime, his defensive quality has been essential to the Lakers' recent string of victories, and should secure him a consistent place in the rotation.
Los Angeles has thus far unearthed a deep and impressive group of scoring threats. Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves are the usual suspects, but Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, and D'Angelo Russell have provided the Lakers with as many as six players who can catch fire at any given moment.
If Christie can continue to provide a positive impact on the defensive end of the floor, then the Lakers will have every reason to continue playing him in relief of and alongside the scorers.