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Michigan State Basketball: 3 reasons Max Christie should return in 2022-23

By Connor Muldowney

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Max Christie #5 of the Michigan State Spartans plays against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on February 01, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Max Christie #5 of the Michigan State Spartans plays against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on February 01, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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UNIVERSITY PARK, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 15: Max Christie #5 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center on February 15, 2022 in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 15: Max Christie #5 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center on February 15, 2022 in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

2. Chance to improve NBA stock to lottery pick

This might be the most obvious reason for a potential return and he will probably go through the process of the draft and be told by scouts that he needs some polishing.

Would Max Christie be drafted if he kept his name in? Yea, probably, but he’s projected as an early-second rounder at the very best. He is too talented to settle for a second-round pick and if he comes back, works on his shot and confidence, and becomes a leader, scouts are going to drool over his NBA readiness next offseason.

Christie can be a lights-out shooter and he’s already a solid defender but he didn’t show that much during his freshman year. He had spurts where he looked like the best player on the floor, but he wasn’t consistent enough and that’s what scouts will tell him.

Coming back, locking in, and having a sophomore leap like Keegan Murray and Jordan Davis had this season would be huge for Christie’s stock. Look how those guys went from relative unknowns to lottery picks.

A good year for Christie as a sophomore could earn him a top-10 grade in 2023.

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