Max Christie speaks in an interview with Exit following the end of the Dallas Mavericks season.
Before the La Lakers play their first playoff game, Max Christie is thinking of ending his own season. This wasn’t the way he expected 2024-25 to pan out.
Max Christie was one of two players sent to the Dallas Mavericks in the blockbuster Luka Donsic trade.
The Mavericks were eliminated after losing to the Memphis Grizzlies in a play-in tournament. There, Christie (11) and Anthony Davis (40) combined 51 of 106 points in losses.
Max Christie previously admitted that he initially denied that he was traded, but was surprised he was sent to the LA Lakers.
He has proven to be a reliable addition to the defensive Mavericks, playing 32 games for his post-trade team.
Speaking in an interview with Season Exit, Christie says he is proud that the team has reached their limit amid the injury crisis, where Kyrie Irving is struggling with a torn ACL.
He said:
“With all the injuries, as far as we did, we’re testament to our character as a team, and that’s what we’re trying to build.”
The Mavericks fanbase was furious over losing popular star player Luka Donsic, but Max Christie believes fans have the right to clarify their feelings.
“It’s difficult, but we are experts. We are trained and we get over the noise. Every fan has the right to express their opinions, their opinions.
“Our job isn’t necessarily to adjust that, but whether it affects us or not, it’s about paying a lot of money to play basketball, and we have to put that into perspective.”
When asked how the Dallas Mavericks could heal this season, Max Christie admitted that there were no easy fixes.
“It takes more time than anything, but time heals everything, but if we are honest, that cloud simply exists in everything that has happened within this franchise for a relatively long time.
“It’s not just time, it’s our job to win.”
Christie says he is proud of his contributions, the way he has become accustomed to his new environment.
“When you look at it in the big picture, I am of course very proud of the growth I have achieved as a basketball player, but most importantly, how I can handle it.”