In the midst of their struggles, the Los Angeles Lakers are in need of some stability. LeBron James is expressing his frustrations on social media, while Christian Wood is posting cryptic messages. The team’s lineups are constantly changing, and it’s clear that the players are not happy. With a 24-25 record and upcoming road games against the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, the Lakers are running out of time before the trade deadline.
One solution for head coach Ham is to give more playing time to Max Christie. Christie has only played 58 minutes in the last five games, averaging just 11.6 minutes per game during the team’s recent skid. This is simply not enough for a player who has shown promise. Although Christie hasn’t made significant improvements in his second season, he is still a valuable asset to the team.
Unfortunately, Christie’s outside shooting has been inconsistent this season. His three-point shooting percentage has dropped to 33.3%, compared to nearly 42% in his rookie year. However, he is still shooting 44.4% on spot-up threes, which is a promising sign for a team that struggles with three-point shooting.
Back in November, Ham expressed his belief in Christie’s potential. He stated that Christie is a “young jewel” on the Lakers’ roster and that his time to shine will come. However, Christie’s playing time has been inconsistent since then.
While it may seem counterintuitive to give more minutes to Christie during this crucial time for the Lakers, he brings a unique energy and athleticism to the team. His off-ball movement and constant activity on the court make him a valuable asset. Additionally, Christie fills a specific need for the Lakers as an athletic point-of-attack defender.
Compared to his competitors for playing time, Christie offers more positives. Jalen Hood-Schifino has struggled in limited NBA action, while Gabe Vincent is out with an injury. Cam Reddish’s usefulness has declined since his promising start, and Taurean Prince’s lineup data has been disappointing.
Max Christie may not be ready for a significant role in the Lakers’ closing backcourt, but he deserves more playing time in Ham’s rotation. As the Lakers continue to search for stability and success, Christie’s energy and athleticism can provide a much-needed boost to the team.
