Mavericks' early starting lineup trend will make Max Christie more dangerous

Max Christie started 68 games for the Dallas Mavericks last season. He became the team's starting shooting guard over Klay Thompson early in Christie's first full season with Dallas, but his role this season could look much different during the early days of the Dusty May era.

The Mavericks traded for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Zaccharie Risacher, earlier this summer, and they've already made it clear that they want their young players to play. Risacher has a real chance to start during the regular season, and his 16-point performance last weekend helped his case.

Max Christie's starting role could be taken by Zaccharie Risacher

Dusty May started Risacher in both of the team's first two preseason games, and while Christie started in the first game, he came off the bench once Kyrie Irving returned for the second game.

May's early trend of starting Risacher could mean that he will be the team's starting shooting guard during the regular season, meaning that Max would be coming off the bench. It wouldn't make much sense to start both Christie and Risacher alongside Irving, Cooper Flagg, and a center, but a move to the bench could bring out the best in Christie's game.

Christie is starting to become more than a 3-point shooter

The young guard averaged a career-high 12.3 points per game last year while shooting 40.4 percent from long range. This was a significant improvement from the 36.4 percent he shot during the 2024-25 season, and he seemed to get more comfortable as the season went on.

While he has been known for his 3-point shooting throughout his entire career, Christie has started to expand his game beyond that. He can attack closeouts and he moves well off the ball, and this season he is putting an emphasis on becoming a better defender.

Why moving to the bench could help Christie grow

While moving to the bench isn't ideal for a young player trying to gain valuable experience, Christie could be even more lethal off the bench. He would get more shots within the flow of the offense with one of Flagg or Irving likely on the bench, going from a release valve on the perimeter in the starting five to more of a primary scoring option within the second unit.

Christie would be in more situations to expand his offensive game beyond shooting, and this increased workload could lead to more confidence and a more diverse skill set. May could sub Max in whenever he needs a spark or some more shooting, and this could bring better balance to that second unit.

Risacher in the starting five allows the Mavericks to prioritize the development of a former first overall pick, while Christie in the second unit gives him a new situation to grow offensively and take another step as a perimeter defender. He could immediately take on the task of guarding the other team's hottest player as soon as he subs into the game, and his energy and shooting could provide the bench unit with a major spark.

May's starting five for opening night next week isn't finalized yet, but regardless of whether he starts, Christie is going to be in a great position to succeed in his fifth season.

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