Max Christie must fill the void preventing Lakers from contending in 2024-25

The Los Angeles Lakers orchestrated two signings during the entirety of the 2024 NBA offseason. Both were re-signings, with LeBron James returning to the franchise inevitably emerging as the biggest headline of the Lakers' summer.

The other player whom the Lakers invested in via free agency was Max Christie, who may be the franchise's best chance to evolve beyond its current limitations.

Los Angeles will enter the 2024-25 season with one of the best starting lineups in the NBA. In 2023-24, the five-man unit of D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, James, and Anthony Davis outscored opponents by 6.6 points per 100 possessions.

That group became the full-time starting lineup on February 3, and the Lakers went 22-10 after a 25-25 start.

Furthermore, the Lakers had two players selected to the All-NBA teams in 2023-24: Davis and James. Davis and James then went on to play starring roles as Team USA won the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Unfortunately, having two players of such an extraordinary caliber and still losing in the first round of the playoffs, let alone having to go through the Play-In Tournament to simply qualify for the postseason, just doesn't seem to compute for those who believe in the power of superstars.

The 2024 NBA Playoffs proved the skeptics right to some degree, as depth is nothing short of essential to a contender's legitimacy—and Christie is the Lakers' best bet to fill an essential void.

Max Christie is the best option to be the Lakers' 3-and-D specialist

For as impressive as the Lakers' starting lineup was, there's a necessary leap of faith involved in positive projections for the 2024-25 season. One of the primary reasons for skepticism despite the talent level in Los Angeles is the absence of a two-way wing who can space the floor and defend the perimeter.

Optimism exists that Hachimura will step into that role in 2024-25, but it's Christie who looks the part of the perimeter player who's most likely to step up and thus raise the Lakers' ceiling.

Christie has shot well through two NBA seasons, converting at a clip of 37.8 percent from beyond the arc. That's even more impressive when one considers the fact that he's maintained an efficient percentage despite receiving erratic playing time.

Christie has also proven to be willing to compete on defense, even when touches aren't necessarily guaranteed on the other end of the floor.

With playing time more likely to be available, Los Angeles will need Christie to balance untapped potential with immediate value in 2024-25. It ranked No. 28 in both opponent three-point field goals made and opposition three-point field goal percentage, and was No. 27 in fast break points allowed.

That speaks to a glaring need to find athletic wings who are willing and able to run opponents off the three-point line and get back in transition.

Christie, who's still just 21 years of age, signed a four-year, $32 million contract to become that exact type of player. It was a long-term investment that certainly implies a degree of patience will exist, but Los Angeles needs him to take a significant step forward as soon as his first season.

If Christie steps up and establishes himself as the high-level two-way wing he appears to be capable of becoming, then the Lakers will have the tools to instantly tap into their elusive two-way potential.