The Dallas Mavericks made one of the most shocking trades in recent NBA history, dealing Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers and bringing Anthony Davis to Dallas. The maneuver sent tremors through the league, with many fans and analysts scratching their heads over the benefit of the swap for the Mavericks. Losing Dončić, who has already garnered five All-NBA First Team nods at just 25 years old, for Davis—a player who, though incredibly talented, is both older and has had his share of injuries—has left Mavericks fans feeling uneasy.
Max Christie, the second player involved in the trade, is stepping up to mitigate some of the initial disappointment around the deal. After spending parts of three seasons with the Lakers, Christie’s breakout moment hinges on his new role with the Mavericks. Following the trade, Davis made his much-anticipated debut with the Mavericks, demonstrating his dominance during the first half. He led the team to victory but left the game early due to injury, immediately raising concerns about the cost of the trade.
Christie, on the other hand, has taken strides forward since joining Dallas. While Saturday marked Davis' debut, it was actually Christie's third game with the Mavericks. He had already shown flashes of brilliance, accumulating 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists across his first two games, and averaging 15 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. By the time he hit the hardwood against the Houston Rockets, expectations were high.
And he didn’t disappoint. Christie scored 23 points, cementing himself as the second-highest scorer of the game, only behind Davis. He was efficient too, making four out of five three-point attempts and hitting nine of ten free throws during nearly 33 minutes of action. Statistically, Christie’s ability to hit key shots—especially one three-pointer late to push the Mavericks comfortably ahead—demonstrated his capacity to be relied upon.
“Max is great. He’s been great since we’ve gotten him,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd remarked following the game. “He earned a role in LA and he’s earned one quickly here with us.”
Christie’s professional growth can be traced back to his early years with the Lakers under coach Darvin Ham, where he often struggled to earn substantial minutes and confidence from the coaching staff. After being shipped with Davis to Dallas, Christie’s raw talent is finally being fully realized. He’s thriving under Kidd, showcasing not only scoring ability but defensive prowess, elements the Mavericks desperately needed.
This transition resulted from the Lakers’ surprising trade move—shaking the very foundation of their roster as they sent Davis to Dallas for Dončić, reconfiguring their own lineup. After the trade, Mavericks fans were divided; some protested the front office’s decision to give up on Dončić, claiming they had lost their star player. To counter this, Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison claimed the team still viewed themselves as championship contenders, viewing Davis and Christie as key figures moving forward.
Christie’s impressive debut performance, scoring 23 points, including ten points in the closing quarter, highlighted how he could potentially fill valuable roles on both ends of the court. With shooting splits including 66.7% from three-point range over the initial three games, Christie is carving out his own narrative as he aims to be part of future playoff pushes with Dallas.
His transition from being overlooked with the Lakers to gaining significant trust from Kidd has garnered interest. With Davis nursing injuries, Christie’s ability to deliver on the floor takes on added importance, representing value at just $7.1 million this year—one of the best contracts for his contribution level across the league. This is the sort of asset every NBA team desires.
The Moseses-like shift of talent raises questions about the Lakers and their recent roster decisions. They have previously allowed young, promising talent to slip away, only for those players—like Alex Caruso and Malik Monk—to find success elsewhere. Now, as Christie shines with the Mavericks, he may soon join them on the list of players the Lakers will regret letting go.
“We hung our hat on defense. We were able to score a little, but our defense, I think, is what carried us through the game,” Christie said after his home debut, emphasizing the importance of team mindset for the Mavericks as they look toward future playoff aspirations.
With the Mavericks winning the matchup against the Rockets with a score of 116-105 on Saturday, they demonstrated their potential depth—an encouraging sign considering the uncertainty surrounding Davis’ health moving forward. Mavericks fans are hoping Christie can continue this upward trend and eventually help offset the sting of losing Dončić.
Whether or not Davis can stay healthy is pivotal. If he can, then Dallas has made themselves immediate contenders. But if injuries persist, the Mavericks will need players like Christie to step up significantly and validate what has become one of the most significant trades in recent memory.<\/p>