Lakers reportedly extend qualifying offer to Max Christie
As expected, the Lakers have taken the first step towards keeping Max Christie in NBA free agency.
The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly extended a qualifying offer to Max Christie, as Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype first reported.
This makes Christie a restricted free agent.
Sources: The Lakers tendered a qualifying offer to guard Max Christie, which makes him a restricted free agent, @hoopshype has learned. The 21-year-old appeared in 67 games for the Lakers last season. He’s expected to be one of the more sought after young wings in free agency. pic.twitter.com/mxf9k79vRY
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 29, 2024
Now that Christie is a restricted free agent, the Lakers can match any contract offered by another NBA team. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, teams have only 24 hours to do so. These restrictions make it most likely that Christie will remain in Los Angeles.
Christie had a mediocre season on the court, averaging just 4.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game. However, that was under limited play, as he averaged just 14.1 minutes during his sophomore season.
If the Lakers do bring him back, he needs to get more time so they can find out what his true potential is. I mean, Christie couldn’t even time get minuets during his exit interview.
Under new Lakers head coach JJ Redick and potentially with a bigger role, the wing could grow into a significant rotational player.
Elite wings are hard to come by and while Christie still doesn’t fall into that category, he has all the tools to become one.
He has good size at 6’6, works equally hard on both ends of the floor and has demonstrated that he is a coachable player.
The qualifying offer is just one of many dominoes that have fallen for the Lakers this offseason.
D’Angelo Russell has opted into his contract and so has Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood.
If LeBron James re-signs on a larger deal and the Lakers retain Christie, they’ll essentially have a full roster and the team will be running it back with the same squad they had last year.
Given that last year’s iteration of the Lakers finished seventh in the West, it’s hard to believe keeping the same roster together and adding a new coach will suddenly turn the team from play-in competitors to championship contenders.
Trades will be the only path towards upgrading the roster, so we’ll have to see if the vice president of basketball operations, Rob Pelinka, has anything up his sleeve this summer to improve the Lakers while ensuring he keeps the best parts, like Christie, together.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.