The Dallas Mavericks are less than a month away from the start of the 2026-2027 regular season. With that comes year-two Cooper Flagg, the return of Kyrie Irving, the eventual return of Dereck Lively and a handful of new faces from overseas. Within that mix is the last remnant from the Luka Doncic trade: Max Christie.
Perhaps lost between the excitement of Flagg’s rookie year and the sideways tank of a 26-win season, was a very solid 2025-2026 campaign for Christie. He played in 77 games with 68 starts.
Across those appearances, he shot 50.2% on two-point attempts and 40.4% from beyond the arc. Even more than his 3-point shooting percentage, his willingness to get them up was a bright spot as well. Christie paired the second-best 3-point shooting clip of his career with the most attempts per game of his career (5.8; more than a shot higher than his previous high). At 12.3 points per game, Christie had probably the best year of his young career, especially considering the state of change around the team last season.
The big question
The big question for Christie is whether or not he can take the next step. Coming off a solid season — arguably his best — this year will be a big one in determining if Christie can manage a leap in productivity. One thing that is often forgotten about Christie is that he is only 23 (and not turning 24 until February). He is barely entering his prime, but has already established a strong foundation of continuous improvement. Can he take the next big step forward, and will he do so this year?
Best case scenario
The best-case scenario for Christie is that he outright replaces Klay Thompson. Please don’t misconstrue that statement. I am not suggesting that Christie replaces one of the greatest shooters of all time this coming season. I am suggesting that his best-case scenario is that he becomes the team’s No. 1 3-point threat and commands his own gravity over the opposing defense. To do this, he will need to a) play a few more minutes per game (up from 29.1 last season), b) consistently hit 40% or more from deep and, c) shoot at least six 3-pointers per game. None of this should be out of the question, as he was already right there last season. If he can maintain accuracy with another attempt or two per game, that will be a very dangerous combination.
Worst case scenario
The worst-case scenario is that Christie doesn’t fit within the coaching overhaul the Mavericks have undergone. Assuming he gets the same minutes and opportunities he got last year at the start of this season, he should be fine. Thompson is gone, so Christie’s biggest competition at shooting guard is probably Zaccharie Risacher, who will also play other positions on the court. If Christie simply isn’t a Dusty May guy and/or struggles from the outset, that would be the worst-case scenario for a player poised to make a leap on what has been continual, gradual improvement since he entered the league.
Season Goal
Christie needs to avoid becoming a one-trick pony. His 3-point shooting is critical, sure. That said, he can’t simply live behind the arc waiting for the ball to find him. Part of what will give him a little added gravity will be development in the mid-range game and improving on the drive. Christie showed flashes of this for a stretch of games last season, then fell back into waiting at the 3-point arc. If the 3-ball isn’t falling on a given night and you have nothing else to fall back on, you’re cooked. Christie absolutely has the skills to drive to the hoop and pull up for mid-range shots (again, he shot over 50% inside the arc last year). He just needs to make sure he attacks at all levels this coming season.
Overall
Christie has a great opportunity to cement himself as the go-to starter at shooting guard this season and beyond. The team is forward-heavy, Thompson is in Miami, and even the return of Irving shouldn’t force him out (provided Flagg isn’t the primary point guard). Christie is right there as one of the best shooters on the team and he may only get better as time goes on. If he can consistently feature some versatility in his game, it’s not unreasonable to think he can average 15-17 points per game this season. He fits the timeframe of the team’s young core and could find himself being a big part of the franchise going forward if things go right.
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