Through four NBA games, the Dallas Mavericks have struggled mightily as they find themselves in a 1-3 pit, with no sign of life. While there have been plenty of negatives, including the Mavericks' lack of offensive progression with D'Angelo Russell not on the floor, one bright spot that has continued to raise fans' eyebrows has been with Max Christie's progression.
Christie has not only emerged as one of Dallas' few bright spots in the first four games of the season, but as he continues to make strides in his offensive game, he continues to make leaps in his defensive capabilities, which may carry him to a starting position. To make matters even better for Christie and his camp, Klay Thompson, who has long been the player starting over Christie, has continued to fall out of favor with Dallas' offense, hitting all-time lows.
Christie has not only made a name for himself with the Mavericks as being a true knockdown shooter early into this regular season, but one consistent problem that has plagued the Mavericks in the early part of this year has been the lack of perimeter defense within the starting unit. This may be a change that too many fans couldn't come any quicker, but Christie has truly earned his starting spot with the Mavericks.
Jason Kidd should start Max Christie for added defense
Through the first four games of Christie's 2025-26 NBA campaign, he has averaged 11.7 points on lights-out efficiency as he has shot the ball at a 57.9 percent clip from the field and 56.5 percent from behind the three-point line. While it may be early, Christie's offensive progression has been one of the team's few positive notes, and to make matters even better for Christie, he offers something on the defensive end that the Mavericks have been starved of through four games.
Perhaps one of the best indicators of Christie's growth this offseason has been the incredible level of defense that he has brought to the point of attack when he is on the floor. One of the reasons the Mavericks find themselves in a current three-game hole to start the season at home has been their lack of defense around the perimeter, and since the beginning of the season, Christie has brought a different level of intensity on the defensive end.
There's no doubt that the Mavericks' current starting five has lacked a true defensive stud around the perimeter, as the team is currently rolling out an 18-year-old rookie in Cooper Flagg and an aging veteran in Thompson, who has clearly lost a step to begin the season. Although it might sound like a very dim situation for the Mavericks and their starting lineup, Christie has offered a clear solution to Dallas's offensive needs and defensive concerns.
Against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Christie was tasked with guarding the former MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander when he was on the floor, and he not only stepped up to the task but also limited Gilgeous-Alexander to one of his worst outings this NBA season. To some, it may sound like a coincidence, but for Jason Kidd, it's a clear solution to many of Dallas' needs.
It's unclear when Kidd would be in the market of making a drastic starting lineup change, and especially one that would put Thompson in a reserve role, but the time to weigh the negatives and positives of some roster moves may be long gone. Christie has clearly emerged as Dallas' true starting shooting guard, and alongside Flagg, it may be only fitting for Kidd to consider a needed lineup change.