Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie (0) poses for a photo during the Mavericks media day at American Airlines Center.
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie has spent much of his career playing next to some of the biggest names in basketball. From sharing the court with LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Los Angeles Lakers to now playing alongside Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg in Dallas, Christie understands what it takes to succeed next to superstars.
Representing Fadeaway World at the NBA China Games 2026 in Macao, I asked Christie how playing alongside superstars in Dallas compares to his experience in Los Angeles.
“I mean, a lot of it’s the same, to be honest. I think being able to be a complementary piece around, like you said, stars is important. I think you can carve out a role in the NBA doing that.”
“Understanding your role in the NBA, finding a way to complement some of the best players on the team, like Kyrie and Cooper in this instance for us here in Dallas.”
“Being able to play around them, being able to relieve pressure for them, and they’re going to draw most of the attention on the offensive end, and then defensively, picking up the right assignments as well.”
Christie’s journey might be just the perfect example of how a young player can establish himself by accepting a complementary role.
Selected 35th overall by the Lakers in the 2022 NBA Draft, Christie initially struggled to find consistent playing time, but his role gradually developed, and he became a reliable contributor, showing enough promise for the Lakers to reward him with a four-year, $32 million contract in 2024.
His development did catch the attention of the Mavericks, who acquired him as part of the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade in February 2025. Since arriving in Dallas, he has just taken another leap.
The 23-year-old enjoyed his best NBA season in 2025-26, averaging 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 40.4 percent from three-point range.
He has developed into a reliable starting-caliber 3-and-D guard, capable of spacing the floor offensively while taking on tough defensive assignments.
I also had the opportunity to ask Christie how he plans to attack defenders who aggressively close him out at the three-point line.
“I think, first and foremost, being a threat to shoot. Like you said, when they run me off the 3-point line, knowing that I can get into the paint, be calm and composed, play off two feet, and be able to find teammates that are open to score, obviously.”
“So, it’s all reading the game and continuing to get live game reps starting tomorrow, which will be fun.”
Christie’s shooting has become one of his biggest strengths. He’s a career 38.6 percent three-point shooter, and he connected on 40.4 percent of his attempts last season, making 2.3 triples on 5.8 attempts per game.
His ability to knock down the outside shot has forced defenders to respect his perimeter game, and it now creates opportunities for him to attack closeouts and find open teammates.
With Christie set to earn $8.2 million this season and holding an $8.8 million player option for 2027-28, his future in Dallas has become very important. Preliminary extension discussions have reportedly begun between the two sides.
For Christie, however, the immediate priority remains contributing to winning basketball. Having played next to LeBron, AD, Irving, and Flagg, he understands that success isn’t always about being the biggest star on the court.
Sometimes it’s about knowing exactly what your team needs and consistently delivering it.
Max Christie has built his NBA career around that philosophy, and his development suggests there is a great future for him in the NBA.