It’s hard to believe that Max Christie is four years into his NBA career already, and he’s on his second team in that span.
Christie was a rare one-and-done under Tom Izzo, the first since Jaren Jackson Jr. a few years before him, and he’s since been followed by Jase Richardson. It’s not common to see Izzo send players to the league after just one season, but it’s becoming less surprising. The Hall of Fame coach knows how to develop pros.
The former five-star guard started all 35 games of his freshman season at Michigan State, averaging 9.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in over 30 minutes per game, which wasn’t great, but he struggled to find a consistent jumper. He made just 38 percent from the floor and 32 percent from deep.
That modest freshman season was enough for him to take the leap, in his eyes, getting drafted No. 35 overall by the Los Angeles Lakers.
The former Spartan guard played 2.5 seasons with the Lakers before getting traded to the Dallas Mavericks as part of the blockbuster deal involving Luka Doncic.
Dallas is where he is today.
Max Christie is carving out a nice role in the NBA
As of Dec. 29, Max has started 22 games with the Mavericks and he’s averaging 28.4 minutes per game — slightly down from his 30.4 a year ago with Dallas. He is, however, averaging a career-high 11.4 points to go along with 3.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists.
Christie is also having the best shooting season of his young NBA career, converting on about 47 percent of his field goals and over 45 percent of his threes. He’s also nearly automatic from the free throw line, making over 83 percent.
The Mavericks are just 12-21 and in fourth place in the Southwestern Division, but Christie is playing the best basketball of his professional career.
After a really strong month of November where he averaged 12.5 points per game, he’s come back down to earth a bit in December, averaging just 9.3 points.
Christie is still young at 22 years old, so his future is incredibly bright.
Izzo has to be proud — although he probably wishes he got another year of Max.
