From Pick 30 to 1: Re-Drafting the 2022 NBA Draft

30. Max Christie — Denver Nuggets (by way of OKC via PHX)

2022 Stats: 3.1 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 41.5-percent from the field, 41.9-percent from 3

Original Draft Slot: No. 35 Overall (2nd Round)

Christie’s numbers won’t wow anyone. But when asking the Lakers’ staff about the former Michigan State player, they light up. The tools are there for him to become a very good 3-and-D player. A plus athlete, he showed flashes of also being very good in transition on occasion. He moves his feet quite well, and Christie’s perimeter shot improved as the season went on.

Assuming Lonnie Walker and others move on during the offseason, you could be looking at the Lakers’ primary back-up 2-guard next year. For the purposes of this exercise, he’d give the Nuggets another intriguing bench piece.

Image Source: Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images