Amid sweeping changes that shook the NBA landscape, Max Christie is proving to be more than a mere footnote in the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Lakers. The 22‑year‑old shooting guard has seized the spotlight, quickly becoming a pivotal piece in Dallas’s ambitious future.
Originally a second‑round pick (35th overall) by the Lakers in the 2022 draft, Christie spent his rookie season with limited playing time. However, as part of the February 2 trade, where the Mavericks acquired him alongside All-Star Anthony Davis and a 2029 first-round pick, Christie was thrust into a much larger role .
Initially stunned by the move—recalling a sleepless night after the deal hit—Christie channeled his emotions into performance. “I was on the floor in the hotel room for two hours…” he recalled, before pivoting to take ownership of his next steps .
Christie’s breakout has been electric. In his first few games as a Maverick, he averaged 17.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, connected on 51.6% of his shots, and 66.7% from deep—a performance that Maverick coach Jason Kidd heralded as “phenomenal” . A standout showing against Boston saw him tally 15 points, six rebounds, four assists, and a block, igniting a 57-point bench surge .
Christie has earned praise not just for his scoring prowess but also for his defensive grit—a key factor in why he was included in the high-profile trade . In an earlier “steal-of-the-deal” assessment, Dallas’s official site noted his smooth adjustment: three games—23 points, 7 rebounds, clutch threes, and maturity beyond his years .
As the Mavericks continue their post-Dončić era, Christie’s rise offers optimism. Dallas might have secured a long-term starting guard on a team-friendly contract: a rare jackpot in today’s NBA. With his confidence soaring and the city rallying, Christie is rewriting expectations—transforming from an underused rookie into an integral cornerstone of Dallas’s future.