Mavericks exposed a major Max Christie flaw without even realizing it

When the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, fans believed there was no end in sight. The trade looked horrible immediately when it happened, and it still does, but Max Christie brought some hope during a dark time. He was the silver lining in the deal, as his shooting caught fire at the end of last season. Christie looked like the guy ready to run the table with Cooper Flagg, and it seemed like he could be a key part of Dallas' future.

Fans even believed he should be untouchable in trade talks ahead of the trade deadline this season. However, Christie's honeymoon phase in Dallas seems to have passed, as his numbers have taken a hit recently. His 3-point shooting has struggled to match his numbers from the beginning of the season, and his performances are far more sporadic. It's an issue that must be fixed if Christie hopes to be a major part of the Mavs' plans and become a long-term starter in the Flagg era.

One possible solution to Christie's up-and-down season is the return of Kyrie Irving. The former NBA Champion can easily help move Dallas' offense in the right direction, and he will help elevate Christie's game once he's back in the lineup at the start of next season.

Max Christie needs to play with a shot creator to elevate his game

Max Christie kicked off the 2025-26 season on a high note. He began the season shooting 51.9 percent from the 3-point line in October. His game continued to rise, as in December, he made 52.4 percent of his 3-pointers. Things seemed promising, as fans believed they had easily found Klay Thompson's future replacement. His 3-and-D skill set proved to be valuable next to Flagg, and many fans believed the team had found a building block for their young core.

Last month, though, the Christie hype began to wither. The Mavs' guard clearly wasn't the same player as he was early on. His numbers began to take a hit, as he was shooting a floundering 30 percent from long range in February.

On February 10, Christie had one of his worst games of the year against the Phoenix Suns, missing all three of his 3-point shots and finishing with just five points in over 30 minutes. It was something fans weren't accustomed to, and they demanded answers.

The reality was that Christie lacked a good shot creator alongside him to make the game easier for him. Flagg played just four games in February due to a midfoot sprain, and his absence definitely hurt Christie's numbers.

Christie needs someone who demands the attention of the defense when the ball is in their hands to create open shots for him. He isn't the on-ball creator that Mavs fans thought he was at the beginning of the season, but he still has room to grow in this area.

If only Dallas had a guard who could create his own shot and lead the offense. Not to mention, someone who makes their teammates better. Enter Kyrie Irving.

Kyrie Irving was made to play with Max Christie

There is plenty of optimism about the return of Irving next season. He's expected to help elevate the Mavs' offense, as he can easily have a positive influence on his teammates on and off the court. Irving can easily make those around him better, and his return will elevate Christie's game.

Irving is a primary ball handler, someone Dallas currently lacks. He can easily use his ball movement skills to space the floor and create open opportunities for his teammates. This is important for Christie's game, as he excels in knocking down corner 3-pointers. If he had someone like Irving moving the ball, it would help create numerous opportunities for him to shine.

Plus, pairing Christie and Irving would give the team two impact players who can shoot the ball at a high rate. It would satisfy Mavs fans' thirst for a prominent offense, giving them a glimpse of a stable backcourt, as Irving will unlock Christie's offensive bag.