Max Christie heads into the 2026-27 season with his place in the Mavericks’ starting five far from guaranteed.
A year ago, Christie was everywhere for Dallas. He played in more games than any other Maverick, started 70 of 77, and logged 2,244 total minutes, which was only 100 fewer than Cooper Flagg.
He finished third on the team in points and ranked in the top five in 3-point percentage, free-throw percentage, total points, assists and steals. Offensively, the case for him is easy to make.
The problem is what happened on the other end.
Christie’s defensive slide last season stood out, especially for a player who was on the floor so much. His defensive rating climbed to 115.2, which ranked 18th among Mavericks players and was up from 114.3 in 2024-25.
His steals, blocks and rebounds all dropped even as his minutes increased. He also finished with the worst plus-minus on the team at -339, 62 points behind P.J.
Washington and 73 behind Cooper Flagg.
That context matters, because Dallas as a whole wasn’t exactly helping him out. Christie was playing heavy minutes for a team that struggled collectively, and that reality is part of why his numbers look so rough. Still, the bottom line is hard to miss: he had the worst defensive rating of any starter and one of the worst marks on the roster.
At Mavericks Media Day, Christie was direct about what he believes he brings to the job fight. When asked why he should remain the starting two-guard, he described himself as a "Swiss Army Knife" and pointed to his defensive value.
He also said he wants to be the "point-of-attack defender." Christie later admitted he "took a step back" defensively last season when asked what he needs to sharpen this year.
That admission only adds to the pressure around his role. He’ll have every chance to stay on the court because of what he does offensively, but Dallas is clearly looking to tighten things up defensively. If Christie doesn’t show early improvement on that end, a move to the bench starts to feel very real.
Zaccharie Risacher only sharpens the spotlight. His arrival gives the Mavericks another defensive option to consider, and any slip from Christie could stand out even more now. Some around the team see Risacher as a possible X factor for this new era, and at the very least he brings the kind of defensive ability that will keep the coaching staff watching closely.
So Christie’s challenge is simple, even if the execution isn’t: hold the job by proving he’s better defensively than he was a year ago. He knows what’s at stake, and he’s already said the right things. Now the Mavericks will see whether the play matches the words.
In Other News...
Mavericks Need More From Naji Marshall In One Crucial Area
Naji Marshall came to Dallas with a reputation as a useful two-way wing, someone who could give the Mavericks sturdy perimeter defense and enough offensive pop to keep the floor spaced. Since arriving, though, the shooting has not traveled with him in the same way it did in New Orleans, and the team is still waiting for that part of his game to settle in alongside the rest of his role.
Marshall has still shown value as a defender, including at least one steal per game in each of the last two seasons, but Dallas wants more consistency on both ends as it heads into the new year. With Kyrie Irving set to return to the lineup, the Mavericks need Marshall to be cleaner and more reliable as a spacer and to bring the kind of effort that helps hold up the wing rotation over the course of a long season. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Opening Night Lineup Suddenly Feels Much More Settled
Dereck Lively II has not yet returned to practice, and his chances of being ready for the Mavericks season opener look slim enough to narrow one of the teams biggest early questions. With the calendar moving toward opening night, Dallas is beginning to get a clearer picture of how its frontcourt will line up, and that matters for a roster still sorting out roles around the paint.
Dusty May is expected to go with Daniel Gafford at center to begin the season, a familiar move for a player who has already started games for Dallas before. The more interesting wrinkle is what comes next: Gafford is slated to take on a bigger offensive role, and that could mean a different look for the Mavericks spacing if his game stretches beyond the usual rim-running duties. [Read more 🡒]
Dereck Lively II Just Became A Bigger Long-Term Mavs Question
Dereck Lively II has become one of the more interesting long-term decisions on the Mavericks docket, with the team facing an October 19 deadline to work out a rookie-scale extension. For now, the expectation is that Dallas will keep its powder dry and take a longer look, especially with Lively still working back from foot surgery and not yet ready to return to practice.
That creates an awkward but understandable pause for a player the Mavericks still view as part of their future, but one whose health and role need more clarity before any multiyear commitment. Recent reporting has also pointed to other players from the 2023 draft class being more likely to land extensions first, which only sharpens the question hanging over Lively as Dallas weighs recovery, fit and timing. [Read more 🡒]