Lakers News: Writer Projects Sophomore Season Jump For LA Rookie Guard

Will he earn rotation minutes next season?

The Lakers have to make some upgrades this offseason to compete with the likes of the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns and others out West. The team has signaled that they'd prefer to run back the main core of players that took this team to the Western Conference. But there is one player from the roster this past season that could make a massive jump and possibly become a consistent rotational player.

That is forward Max Christie. Christie will be entering his second year in the league and while he didn't get much playing time this season, the skillset is there. Lakers insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic seems to think that Christie will make a big jump this summer.

"I expect Christie to take a considerable jump in his sophomore season. I think he should’ve been given a look, if only briefly, in the playoffs. He appeared to be a rotation-caliber player in January when he was the team’s eighth man for a few weeks. Over that stretch from Jan. 6 through Jan. 25, Christie averaged only 5.3 points and 2.3 rebounds but shot 52.5 percent overall and 47.6 percent on 3s."

-Buha on Christie

When he was drafted, there was much upside surrounding Christie. But his game was raw. He was a good enough shooter that had the potential to develop his shot as he aged in the NBA. But it was his skills on defense that really stood out. In the limited time that he was given this season, he showed that he was more than capable of defending at the NBA level.

Here is a clip of Christie chasing down Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter. He battles through the screens and gets his arm in the face of the shooter well. 

I mean, just watch the movement from Huerter. Looks like the Kings are setting up pistol action but Huerter rejects it, then comes off elevator screens from Metu/Lyles. Shoutout to Max Christie's defense here, though. pic.twitter.com/Qw0denvVDG

— Skyler (KFR) (@SacFilmRoom) January 19, 2023

If Christie can add some weight to his frame over the summer, he can most definitely become a rotation player for the Lakers. He does the two things that the team needs surrounding LeBron James and Anthony Davis, shoot three and play defense. 

"His defense stood out all the way back to Las Vegas Summer League. He uses his hands well, he’s almost always in a proper stance, and he has a high basketball IQ from both a team and individual perspective. His rebounding is impressive for someone his size and frame."

Per Buha

The Lakers roster could look different next season depending on how the front office wants to play things. But Christie should be given a role going forward, if anything just to see what the kid can do. 

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