"Being that guy that can take a load off" - Max Christie breaks down his new role under JJ Redick
After receiving a considerable pay raise in free agency, LA Lakers shooting guard Max Christie recently touched on his expectations for his third NBA season. He also previewed how first-time coach JJ Redick plans to use him in LA's new-look offense.
The No. 35 pick in the 2022 NBA draft, Christie struggled to earn consistent playing time over his first two seasons. Nevertheless, he showed enough flashes as a two-way wing for the Lakers to reward him with a four-year, $32 million contract this summer. Meanwhile, he has been named in reports as one of the franchise's key young core members.
Since Redick's June hiring, he has expressed eagerness to reinvent LA's offense. That, combined with the departure of veterans Spencer Dinwiddie and Taurean Prince in free agency, is expected to create additional opportunities for Christie next season.
On Monday's episode of "Buha's Block," Christie told The Athletic's Jovan Buha that he and Redick spoke in depth about his new role. Per Christie, he will be tasked with providing valuable 3-and-D reserve minutes to alleviate pressure on the Lakers' veteran-laden core.
“I think both of us are really on the same schedule, if you will, in terms of how I want to be used and how he wants to use me within the offense, within the rotation," Max Christie said.
"... I think everybody knows, especially on offense, we got a bunch of guys that can put the ball in the basket, with [LeBron James] and [Anthony Davis] and Austin [Reaves] and D'Angelo [Russell]. We've got a bunch of guys that can score and handle the ball.
"... For me, and I think we're on the same page with this, just being that guy that can take a load off them, and especially with my shooting ability, space the floor," he continued.
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Max Christie added that LA's offense, as a whole, should also be significantly more "free-flowing" under Redick, with more "cuts and pin-downs."
The Lakers will look to bounce back from their 4-1 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Round 1 of this year's playoffs. However, apart from retaining Christie and James and drafting rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, they haven't made any other offseason moves.
So, barring any further changes, the franchise will likely rely heavily on internal development and Redick's new coaching philosophy for improvement.
Max Christie says he "got a taste" of JJ Redick's coaching style this summer
During Monday's appearance on "Buha's Block," Max Christie also referenced his experience working out with JJ Redick in Las Vegas this summer.
Despite not joining the Lakers' NBA Summer League squad, Christie noted that he participated in drills with his new coach.
"We really both got a taste of it in Vegas when we were both there and I was working out a lot," Christie said. "He was always present. He was always kind of running the drills and putting me in situations that he wants me to be in during the season, too."
It remains to be seen how big of a leap Max Christie takes in Year 3. However, if he can consistently space the floor and play serviceable defense, he should have a sizeable role in LA's rotation.
Over 67 games this past season, Christie averaged 4.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.6 3-pointers per game, shooting 42.7% and 35.6% from 3.
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