Five players who quickly proved they’re too good for Summer League

Max Christie, Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers profiled as one of the big winners of the NBA’s free agency period, bringing back their own free agents (Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura) while also adding several newcomers (Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Jaxson Hayes, Cam Reddish) to add depth and versatility to a roster that just made the Western Conference finals. Cracking such a crowded roster requires the kind of performance that makes a front office and coaching staff stand up and take notice … which certainly appears to be what Christie, a second-round pick out of Michigan State in the 2022 draft who barely cracked 500 minutes as a rookie, aimed to deliver on the summer stage: https://youtu.be/iaUW7Xssqxs

Christie has impressed for L.A.’s entries in both the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League, showing increased comfort operating in the pick-and-roll, knocking down shots off the catch and attacking the paint off the dribble. The 20-year-old swingman is averaging 18.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and four assists through four games across both competitions, shooting 48.9% from the floor, 9-for-15 (60%) from 3-point range and 22-for-23 (95.7%) from the foul line.

“It’s something I was definitely working on this summer — just being able to make plays for myself and others,” Christie told reporters. “Just being comfortable with the ball in my hands.”

Combine that with great length — 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan — and constant activity against a variety of wings on the defensive end, and you’ve got the makings of precisely the kind of complementary perimeter player who could thrive playing between LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

“The goal is to play, like I said at my exit interview, as much basketball as I can in terms of winning on the floor,” Christie told reporters. ”So whatever that takes. Whether that’s defense, shooting, being a leader. Whatever it is, I’m willing to do it because I want to be on that floor and I want to contribute to winning.”

The revamped and reloaded Lakers roster might not need Christie to take a step forward to have enough depth to mount another postseason run. If he’s able to assert himself enough to insert himself into that mix, though? So much the better.

by r3d330