Report: Max Christie intends to sign four-year, $32M deal with the Los Angeles Lakers

All eyes are on the Los Angeles Lakers at the beginning of free agency in the NBA. That now includes their first move following the eventual re-signing of Max Christie.

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, LA intends to sign Christie to a four-year, $32 million contract to remain with the franchise. As Wojnarowski clarified in another tweet, the deal would keep Christie, a “developmental success story”, out of unrestricted free agency.

“Christie’s agent Kevin Bradbury of @LiftSportsmngmt and Lakers GM Rob Pelinka negotiated a deal that keeps Christie out of restricted free agency,” Wojnarowski wrote on Twitter. “Christie has been a developmental success story for the Lakers.”

Christie has spent the past two seasons in Los Angeles. That was after the Lakers selected him out of Michigan State as the 35th pick in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft.

In 108 appearances as a pro, Christie has averaged 3.8 points and a pair of rebounds.

Christie, a native of Rolling Meadows, Illinois, was a five-star prospect coming out of high school. He was the No. 18 overall recruit in the 2021 cycle. That’s according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also rated as the No. 2 SG behind only Shaedon Sharpe (Kentucky, Portland Trailblazers) and the top player out of Illinois.

Christie then signed with the Spartans where he spent a season under Tom Izzo. The program’s top prospect from that class posted 9.3 points and 3.5 rebounds en route to being a Big Ten All-Freshmen Selection.

Again, the Lakers are a headline as the free agency period opens on Sunday. That starts with the status of LeBron James after he opted out of his player-option on Saturday. The question now turns to what additions that Los Angeles could make whether through signings or trades, including a name like Klay Thompson.

Christie is one of the youngest players in the organization out in Hollywood. That makes his retainment a key one as the 21-year-old continues to grow in their building.

Report: LeBron James opts out, expected to return on new contract

 LeBron James intends to opt out of his player option, according to Shams Charania.

James was set to make $51.4 million next year if he opted in. Still, he’s not necessarily leaving the Lakers. The expectation is James will be back in Los Angeles next season on a new deal.

As free agency gets underway on Sunday, James was largely expected to opt out of his deal and potentially sign a new one.

James is eligible for a max extension, which could be worth three years and $164 million. Charania recently reported the Lakers “badly” want James back, and after they drafted Bronny James, he’ll have the chance to take the court alongside his son.