With all the
spotlight on players like Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller, the Los Angeles Lakers added Jalen Hood-Schifino from Indiana at No. 17 and Maxwell Lewis from Pepperdine at pick No. 47. These draft picks by Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka were a good move. The best part was that they kept these picks instead of trading them away.ADVERTISEMENT
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The inclusion of the young guns in the team where limelight is often stolen by
LeBron James is seen as a strategic move.The Lakers grabbed some young core from the 2023 NBA Draft
Schifino from Indiana and Lewis from Pepperdine are seen shrewd moves by the Lakers to support their championship aspirations in the upcoming season. The franchise has made it a priority to strengthen the team without compromising on future talents.
Earlier rumors even suggested that the Lakers will make a move for Kyrie Irving in the free agency and will give up their young core. But Pelinka proved everyone wrong.
Read More: Having Made Over $14 Million, Record-Breaking LeBron James Item Set to Fetch Over 500x the Original PriceThe manager signed a balanced depth in the roster. He even gave a contract extension to the third star in the team Austin Reaves.
Moreover, there is another young star on the roster whose performance in the summer league has left fans in awe.
Fans react to LeBron James’ teammate’s extraordinary performance
It’s the offseason and this is the perfect time for young players to prove themselves in the summer league. Season 2022’s 35th overall pick Max Christie has done just that in his first encounter with Victor Wembanyama-less Spurs.
During the second quarter, Maxwell Lewis and Colin Castleton showcased impressive defense, utilizing their long reach to block five shots. In the third quarter, Christie made an impact, scoring eight consecutive points and hitting his first two three-pointers of the game to bring the score to a tie at 58.
While his highlight reel was getting viral on the internet, fans showed love to the 20-year-old guard. One fan took to Twitter and said, “
Buy up as much Max Christie stock as you can get your hands on.”Buy up as much Max Christie stock as you can get your hands on pic.twitter.com/7wNQZHNrz0
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) July 6, 2023
Another fan, in response, asked, “
What is the max we should buy?“What is the max we should buy?
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) July 6, 2023
I feel I would be buying at an all time high 🤣
If he is indeed this good… the Lakers just had an actual NBA game 44 days ago and could have used a big wing. That or he had the best 44 days in NBA training history.
— NBA Ace (@NBAace21) July 6, 2023
One fan spotted Kobe Bryant’s similarities.
He literally looks so much like Kobe it’s weird
— LVII,LIVgod (@sticksgod) July 6, 2023
Another fan even compared Christie’s performance with former Lakers guard Talen Horton Tucker, “
Officially reaching THT levels of summer league laker legends.”Officially reaching THT levels of summer league laker legends
— DodgerFan1988 (@Fan1988Dodger) July 6, 2023
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Although the Lakers suffered a defeat, Christie delivered an impressive performance with 25 Pts, 4 Reb, and 4 Asst. But with the inclusion of the two young players in the team now, the Lakers is clearly eyeing championship with its young core strength.
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