When the Dallas Mavericks acquired Max Christie, it wasn’t a headline-stealing move. But for a team reshaping its identity after a whirlwind offseason, adding the young guard could prove more important than it first appeared.
Christie, drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022, arrived in Dallas with the reputation of a player still tapping into his potential. At 6’6” with a polished shooting form and a versatile defensive toolkit, he checked the boxes of a modern NBA wing. In Los Angeles, he flashed his upside in spurts—shooting 38% from three last season—but minutes were inconsistent behind a veteran-heavy roster.
Now in Dallas, Christie has a clearer lane to showcase his game. Surrounded by Anthony Davis’ inside presence and Cooper Flagg’s versatile skill set, Christie’s ability to space the floor and defend multiple positions gives the Mavericks valuable depth. Coaches have praised his composure, noting that he contributes without needing plays drawn up for him.
That impact goes beyond spot-up shooting. Christie has shown better reads on cuts, improved timing when attacking closeouts, and the defensive instincts to take on challenging assignments on the perimeter. In a Western Conference where wings dominate the landscape, that versatility is a necessity.
If Christie continues his upward trajectory, he could mirror the steady contributions of players like Derrick White or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope—two-way guards who don’t demand the spotlight but consistently tilt games in their team’s favor.
For the Mavericks, Max Christie is more than a role player—he’s a rising star finding his stride at the perfect time in Dallas’ new era of Mavericks basketball.
