Max Christie renews contract for four years

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers announced that they have officially re-signed restricted free agent Max Christie.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it was reported to be a four-year, $32 million contract with a player option in the final year. Los Angeles had already tendered a qualifying offer to Christie to make him a restricted free agent.

It was reported that several teams were interested in signing Christie once free agency officially began, but the Lakers were able to come to terms on a contract that keeps him with the organization for the foreseeable future. Although the dollar amount is higher than originally expected, this seems to indicate that Los Angeles and new head coach JJ Redick have plans to put Christie in the rotation in the upcoming 2024-25 season.

The new deal was expected, as the team is confident in Christie’s potential as a 3-and-D winger, and he showed what he could do in limited minutes under former coach Darvin Ham last year. When given the chance to play, Christie was a standout defender who spaced the floor efficiently. Before that, he showed more playmaking ability on the ball in the Summer League, providing some optimism that he can develop into a contributor in that area as well.

With Christie under contract for the next four years, the team can now focus on the rest of its roster needs. Free agents like Taurean Prince are still in the mix, though Los Angeles now has Christie to lean on if the forward opts to leave as a free agent.

Cam Reddish has picked up his player option for the 2024-25 season, but with the Lakers facing a roster crunch, he is expected to be one of the first players to be traded in a deal to free up space. There is also the case of D’Angelo Russell, who is expected to be traded after picking up his player option for next season.

With several guards and forwards projected to leave the roster, there is a clear path for Christie to get minutes, as he could be a key rotation player. At worst, Los Angeles has another salary to offer on a deal down the road, but the hope is that the young forward develops into a key piece for the future.

Lakers’ Max Christie wanted a chance to play in the series against the Nuggets

In the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers could have used Max Christie as a two-way player. The point guard didn’t get a chance to play and later admitted he wanted a chance to contribute.

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