About a week ago, former Michigan State standout Max Christie was involved in one of the biggest trades in NBA history as the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis and some other pieces, including the Spartan shooting guard.
NBA fans everywhere trashed the Mavericks for getting swindled by the Lakers, getting one of the best players in the world for an oft-injured, aging big man.
But Christie may have been the most underrated piece of the entire trade, averaging 17 points, 5.3 rebounds, and three assists, shooting just over 50 percent from the floor and 11-for-19 from deep over four games.
While losing Doncic has Mavericks fans feeling down in the dumps, Christie's breakout has been a welcomed sight for everyone, including new teammate and four-time NBA champion and five-time All-Star Klay Thompson. He gushed over his new teammate, saying that he's had a lot of success with Michigan State guys as teammates over his career.
“I’ve had great success with Michigan State guys in my career and he’s just another one. They come in and they know how to defend and they are team players.” https://t.co/1umQU4XSjJ
— Andrew Cumbow (@ACumbow) February 11, 2025
Obviously Klay is referring to Draymond Green as the other Michigan State guy who he's had success with as he won four NBA titles with him and the Warriors. The fact that Christie is even mentioned in the same sentence as Draymond as a "Michigan State guy" who plays great defense and is a team player.
Thompson went on to say that Christie has a bright future in the NBA and he's probably right. The Spartan one-and-done has been in the league since 2022 and he's just 22 years old and he's starting to really play at a plus level, averaging 9.2 points and 2.9 rebounds, shooting 45 percent from the field.
This can only help Michigan State's recruiting under Tom Izzo.