The Los Angeles Lakers made use of their No. 35 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by selecting former Michigan State standout Max Christie.
Christie, a 6-foot-6 guard, adds some depth to LA's backcourt. It is worth noting, however, that the 19-year-old is far from a finished product. He doesn't exactly have an NBA-ready body, and he will need some work.
The Lakers obviously did their due diligence here and they definitely know what they're getting into with Christie. This becomes even more relevant given how the Lakers actually pulled the trigger on a trade with the Orlando Magic in order to get their hands on this pick.
For his part, however, Christie is not lacking in self-belief. He opted to leave the Spartans after just one season in order to enter the NBA Draft. His decision has clearly paid dividends, and he is now a member of one of the most prominent franchises in all of the NBA. Not to mention the fact that he gets to be teammates with the great LeBron James.
“I think it’s just betting on myself, being confident in myself and the preparation that I put into this game,” Christie told reporters during the draft combine, via Colton Pouncy of Bleacher Report. “I think that’s just all it really is, just having confidence in myself and knowing that I feel like I’m ready for this level and able to contribute whenever that time comes.”
In 35 games played last season for Michigan State, Christie averaged 9.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 30.8 minutes per game.
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