Max Christie is emerging in the NBA as a talent, with a great work ethic, and an ability to perform well under clutch situations. Drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022, the 6’6″ shooting guard has worked his way into the team rotation, doing his part on both sides of the floor. With his determination on defense and an improving offensive game, Christie has shown that he has what it takes to shine under one of the most prestigious franchises in the league.

Having recently re-signed for a four-year extension worth millions of dollars with the Lakers, his financial growth reflects his growth on the court. From a low-rookie contract to major long-term security, his journey through the NBA slowly keeps climbing in value. Here’s a detailed insight into Max Christie’s current contract, career earnings, and role with the Lakers.

What Is Max Christie’s Contract With the Los Angeles Lakers?

On July 2, 2024, he signed a 4-year, $32 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. The deal averages $8 million per year and is fully guaranteed. For the 2024-25 season, Christie’s salary will be $7,142,857, a number that allows him to match the salary cap hit and dead cap value. With the salary cap considerations, the Lakers retained Christie using Early Bird Rights.

This makes a big change in Christie’s career: he moves from the rookie scale contract into a somewhat safe form. The new contract will keep him in the Lakers’ court till the 2027/28 season, after which he will be an unrestricted free agent. It’s a whole new ball game for him.

Christie earns well, having reaped $2,737,645 on his rookie-scale contract. His new extension sharply raises his earnable levels. It also shows the Lakers’ faith in his long-term proficiencies. But how did they start?

Let’s take a deeper dive to find out. Christie’s versatility makes him particularly valuable for the Lakers. As a shooting guard who can also play small forward, he fits into a league where positional flexibility is becoming all the buzz. The increased three-point shooting, rebounding, and just his work on defensive effort is what makes Christie a great complement to the stars of the Lakers while playing a pivotal role off the bench.

Christie’s Journey to NBA Success: From Underdog to Key Player

Way before Max Christie touched the NBA court, he was already a few steps ahead when it came to basketball. An outstanding player in high school, he averaged 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists in his senior year, shooting above 40% from the field. With such fantastic stats, he earned himself a scholarship at Michigan State to play one year of college ball.

Averaging 9.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on 38 percent shooting for the Michigan State Spartans. The numbers aren’t particularly eye-popping. However, it was enough for people to notice the great potential he has. More importantly, his work ethic and versatility gained him wide-eyed attention from NBA scouts. This eventually led to him being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022.

The next big moment came on December 9, 2023. On this day, Christie contributed to the Lakers in the NBA in-season tournament success. It was nothing short of a pressure cooker performance. These moments allowed him to perfect the craft of becoming a player most would trust. Christie is bound for a larger future. The team is preparing for life ahead as key veterans like LeBron James near the end of their competitive days.

Max Christie has owned the NBA through hard work, flexibility, and constant ambition. His climb is proof that hard work can take you far. He started as a promising high schooler. Today, he is a key influence on the Lakers making an impact and exceeding expectations.

A four-year, $32 million commitment means he won’t simply be cashing checks. Instead, he will be striving to shine even more. The Lakers can rest easy as he gets into the swing of things. They know they’ve secured another future cornerstone for the years ahead.