Lakers Rumors: Max Christie 'Likely' to Return in 2024 NBA Offseason; Set to Be RFA

The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly expected to retain guard Max Christie in free agency.

"It is likely that the Lakers keep Max Christie, partly just because that's how restricted free agency works, where the incumbent team has the advantage," Jovan Buha of The Athletic said (36:30 mark). "It is rare that rival teams will come in and offer a player a legitimate contract. ... Max, I think he'll have some interest from smart teams. But, from what I've been told, the Lakers have interest in him and want to retain him."

Christie, a 2022 second-round pick, will be a restricted free agent this summer. He averaged 4.2 points and 2.1 rebounds this season while shooting 42.7 percent from the floor overall.

While Christie has not blossomed into a reliable 3-and-D player yet, the Lakers reportedly remain believers in the Michigan State product. Buha said Christie's inconsistent spot in the rotation was one area where the Lakers front office and former coach Darvin Ham disagreed.

The Lakers fired Ham after two seasons following their first-round loss to the Denver Nuggets. Ham's rotation decisions also drew consistent frustration from the Lakers locker room.

Christie won't be at the top of the Lakers' priority list in free agency, as LeBron James and D'Angelo Russell hold player options they're likely to decline. Re-signing James will be the overwhelming top priority for the Lakers, while inking Russell to a new deal will be paramount to their roster flexibility moving forward. Even if Russell isn't a forever option, having his salary on the books is necessary for matching purposes in future deals.

Christie's new contract, whenever that comes, will have to wait until all the players higher on the pecking order are taken care of.