3 Lakers whose roles are not safe after the trade deadline

2. Max Christie

It has been a frustrating year for Max Christie fans. A lot of Lakers fans were expecting big things out of Christie heading into the 2023-24 season as all the warning signs where there. Christie tore it up in the 2023 Summer League and looked like he was more than NBA ready during the preseason.

Darvin Ham then had to pull his first surprising coaching move of the year by giving Cam Reddish all of the minutes that fans expected Christie to get at the start of the year. Suddenly, all of the Christie buzz turned into viturol towards Ham, which has been a trend this season in Los Angeles.

Christie has not carved out a consistent role in the rotation but he has been solid in the chances he has received. It isn't like Christie is some massive game-changer that cannot be denied, but he definitely has earned more minutes than he is getting.

The second-year second-round pick was finally getting some consistent playing time heading into the trade deadline as the Lakers were battling several injuries. That is when Christie sprained his ankle, and now after the deadline, that playing time may wane.

Spencer Dinwiddie is going to cut into Christie's playing time right away. Once Jarred Vanderbilt and Reddish get healthy, there won't be any room for Christie.