Max Christie was not one of the most well-known prospects heading into the 2022 NBA Draft, but the Los Angeles Lakers made him theirs by taking him with the 35th pick.
Although he is somewhat underdeveloped at age 19, Christie is a 6-foot-6 shooting guard who has a nice stroke and perhaps some defensive potential.
He is expected to be a project player who will take some time to develop, but if he develops into something approaching his best self, he will help a Lakers team that is in dire need of young, productive two-way wings.
The Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green feels Christie will become something more than just a 3-and-D wing.
For context, Green was the 35th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Both he and Christie played their college ball at Michigan State University under legendary head coach Tom Izzo.
Green didn’t do much in his first two seasons, but he started to emerge in 2015 as he helped the Warriors win their first NBA championship of the Stephen Curry era.
Green now owns four world championship rings and has been selected to the All-Star team four times.
Perhaps Green is being biased, but if Christie’s work ethic and desire are very high, he could surprise people within a few years.
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