Can a second-round draft pick truly carry the future of a team? When the Lakers spent 32milliontosignanobscuresecond−roundpick,almosteveryonefrowned."Fouryearsfor32 million? Isn't that just throwing money away?" This was the immediate reaction of many fans. However, this contract that was once mocked as "garbage" has quietly turned into a trump card in the hands of the Lakers. Christie, this second-round pick, is now using his performance to silence all doubters.
The story goes back to the 2023 offseason. At that time, Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka signed a four-year, $32 million contract with Christie under immense pressure. It should be noted that this was not a simple signing: Christie was the 35th pick in the second round of the 2022 draft and had no "superstar potential" before entering the league. Even his scouting report was mediocre, with only "has potential on the defensive end" standing out slightly.
Despite this, the young man performed averagely in his rookie season, with hardly any noteworthy statistics. Therefore, signing such a "non-entity" level player naturally drew countless doubts.
"Has Pelinka gone mad this time?" "Any veteran would be better than this," comments like these were everywhere. But if you are familiar with Pelinka, this general manager is known for his keen eye. He has never been one to follow the crowd but dares to go against the current. Back in 2020 when the Lakers won the championship, Pelinka signed undervalued players like Howard and Pope at low prices, ultimately helping the Lakers lift the trophy. Signing Christie seemed crazy, but behind it was a confidence of "standing alone in clarity while others are drunk." Pelinka believed he saw untapped potential in Christie that no one else realized.
Christie's starting point was not high, and even at the beginning of the season, his performance was so poor that he could hardly play. His three-point shooting percentage was abysmal, and he couldn't keep up on defense, once being labeled by Lakers fans as "just decoration on the bench." However, basketball games are never about who starts fast but who can go the distance. Christie was not defeated by the doubts; he used them as motivation.
Throughout the season, he spent almost all his time in the training hall, frantically practicing shooting and physicality. When the team needed him, he always showed his dedication in the details. Gradually, his performance began to change people's perceptions—his three-point shooting percentage soared from less than 30% at the start of the season to 41.7%, and his defensive skills and switching techniques also matured.
What stands out most was the game between the Lakers and the Trail Blazers. That day, Christie exploded, going 9-for-16 for 28 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. The 28 points were a career-high for him and the best response to those who once doubted him. That night, Christie finally proved that he was not just a "bargain" but an important piece that could shine in the Lakers' tactical system.
Christie's comeback is not just his personal effort but also inseparable from the strategic adjustments supported by the Lakers management in recent years. The Lakers have always liked to chase big-name veterans, such as James and Davis, which made them seem short on resources for developing young players.
But in recent years, Pelinka has clearly changed direction, starting to focus on the development of young players. The most typical example is Reeves, who went from an undrafted player to a starting point guard and has become an indispensable part of the Lakers. And Christie also received enough opportunities and growth space under this system.
The Lakers also gave Christie many opportunities to perform in the summer league, ensuring he could quickly integrate into the team. Moreover, the Lakers' training team tailored a systematic improvement plan for him, from shooting to physicality, to reading the game, Christie received comprehensive enhancement. This training model, in a sense, also continues the Lakers' recent tradition of trading meticulous training for low-cost, high-value players.
In NBA history, there are many examples of low-draft picks successfully making a comeback, such as Draymond Green of the Warriors and Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets. These players were underestimated on draft night but eventually became the core of their teams through their own efforts and team cultivation. Christie's emergence makes people think of these "second-round miracles." Although his current achievements cannot be compared with these superstars, he is also on the right path.
It is worth mentioning that Christie's high school period was not smooth sailing. He was not considered a top basketball prospect, but he had an innate resilience and discipline. When everyone relaxed, he always maintained high standards for himself. This self-discipline may be one of the reasons why the Lakers management recognized his potential.
The current Lakers still revolve around James and Davis, but the physical fitness and injury issues of the two core players are always a sword hanging over their heads. In such a situation, young and efficient players like Christie become particularly important. His defensive ability can alleviate the pressure on Davis in the paint, and his stable three-point shooting gives James more passing options.
In playoff games where every point counts, the value of a defensive 3D guard is immeasurable. If Christie can maintain his current form, he could very well become a trump card for the Lakers in critical moments—or even be the decisive figure on certain nights.
Christie's rise tells us again: low-draft picks are not without a future; as long as they work hard and receive team support, anyone can become a key piece for the team. For the Lakers, this young 3D guard might just be an "unexpected joy" on the road to contention. How the future unfolds will be revealed in time.