Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and draft decide on Max Christie explore the foreseeable future

Taking part in for Michigan Condition as a guard, Max Christie shoots from Iowa in February.

(Charlie Neibergall / Involved Push)

When it arrived time for the Lakers to make their decide, the team had solutions for a lot more NBA-ready prospective buyers — specifically Ohio State forward E.J. Liddell. But Pelinka claimed on draft night time, you just can't assume that way.

“I think the completely wrong factor to do in the draft is to just say, ‘We have to have to get this man who can participate in for us right now.’ That is when you can make huge issues,” Pelinka claimed. “We desired to acquire the player that we thought could assist our group in the present, current time but seriously produce into one thing exclusive. And we feel Max Christie has that DNA.”

The stats at Michigan Point out weren’t great — specifically capturing: Christie designed only 31.7% from the three-level selection.

“I definitely feel he’s heading to transform into a really superior shooter,” Pelinka explained. “He’s got just lovely contact on the ball. Fantastic arch and rotation on his shot. And then he’s a twitchy athlete with a definitely unique floater recreation and finishing skills all-around the basket. He can get in the paint. We really believe he’s a male that if he would’ve preferred to go again to faculty, you’re conversing about a guy that could’ve very easily been in the best 20, major 15 of upcoming year’s draft. So to be capable to get a participant like that and acquire him with the 35th choose is exceptional, and we’re really happy.”

The Lakers have recognised of him prolonged prior to this past period, getting scouted Christie as he went by way of the elite summer time camps although he was a high school star.