Max Christie reacts to Mavericks trade, reunites with D’Angelo Russell

Jul 26, 2025 3:01 PM

Max Christie is looking forward to the next chapter of his NBA journey, particularly because it includes reuniting with a familiar face.

As reported by Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News, the young guard is especially enthusiastic about sharing the court once again with D’Angelo Russell, now his teammate on the Dallas Mavericks.

“That’s one of my closest friends and closest teammates,” Christie said of Russell. “We were together for two years out in L.A. and I respect him a lot.”

The two built strong chemistry during their time with the Lakers, and their on-court synergy could be an asset for a Mavericks team in transition.

Christie’s young career has already included some notable stops and moments – playing alongside LeBron James with the Lakers, being traded in a blockbuster deal that landed Luka Doncic in Los Angeles, and now becoming part of a rising young core in Dallas.

He’ll be playing with promising talents like rookie sensation Cooper Flagg and second-year center Dereck Lively II, aiming to help the Mavericks stay competitive while stars like Kyrie Irving recover from injury.

Despite all the changes, Christie remains energized by what lies ahead and is embracing his new role. In fact, he describes the day he was traded to Dallas as the highlight of his NBA journey so far.

“That was my favorite day as an NBA player,” he revealed.

Looking ahead, Christie is optimistic about the Mavericks’ chances in a tough Western Conference.

“We got a good roster,” he said. “We got a good coaching staff. We’re looking forward to making a big splash in the West.”