The 2023 NBA Summer League is now in the books, and it gave a number of players the opportunity to flash their potential and possibly earn a spot in the big leagues.
The Los Angeles Lakers had a mix of can’t-miss players, prospects that are looking to get some playing time with their big league squad and those who are fighting for a spot somewhere in the league.
Many were looking forward to guard Max Christie’s second go-around in summer league play this month after he showed promise in spot duty this past regular season. Needless to say, he wasn’t the least bit disappointing.
Christie looks ready for an expanded role
When the Lakers took Christie in the second round of last year’s draft, the hope was he would develop into a 3-and-D player. However, at the time, his outside shooting was very poor, and it looked like he would be a project player after an underwhelming showing in last year’s summer league.
But this time around, he did just about everything at a high level.
In the two games in the California Classic, he made 62.5% of his 3-point shots, and he was at 50% in the games played at Las Vegas. Throughout summer league play, he had a decent volume of such attempts, averaging 4 shots from downtown a game.
Max Christie with 25/4/4 on 75% TS in his 2nd game of Summer League pic.twitter.com/AoNJILXHaN
— Teg🚨 (@IQfor3) July 6, 2023
In all, he went an amazing 30-of-31 from the free-throw line, after he also shot a very high percentage there in last year’s summer league.
This year, Christie was used more on the ball as an initiator and creator. It’s hard to tell how much that will translate to the NBA, but he averaged 4 assists a game in the California Classic and 3.7 dimes a game in Las Vegas.
Defensively, he also looked good, blocking 2.3 shots per contest in Las Vegas. He has reportedly been challenged to be the best defensive player on the floor, and it looks like he’s up to the task.
The former Michigan State University player missed the Lakers’ last two games with a right hip strain. But by then, he had shown more than enough.
The Lakers lost backup 2-guard Lonnie Walker IV in free agency this summer, and they could still use another productive 3-and-D wing. It looks like this could be the season in which Christie fills that void.
Final Grade: A
