Luka Doncic and Max Christie (Photo by Imagn Images)

Max Christie Finally Opens Up on Emotional Night of Luka Doncic Trade

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Nitish Kumar Singh | Last updated Apr 4, 2026 4:44 AM ET

In the blockbuster, or what they call in Dallas, the biggest and most surprising trade in the NBA’s history, there was only one winner and many losers.

While the Los Angeles Lakers clearly won in the transaction, the Mavericks, including Max Christie, were on the receiving end. However, even after more than a year of the said trade, emotions still manage to peep out even during the most competitive stretch of the league.

The former Lakers guard, now with the Mavericks, reflected on the night he was included in the blockbuster deal that brought Luka Doncic to Los Angeles. Speaking on The Old Man and The Three podcast, Christie described a moment that shifted quickly from routine to life-changing.

“We just beat the Knicks in New York by 10 or 15 and were feeling good,” he said. “We were staying the night on the team bus and Rob Pelinka and JJ both kind of like called me at the same time and this was around the deadline and so Rob didn’t really call me that often like every now and then but as soon as my phone started ringing I saw it I kind of like had a idea but I didn’t want to assume and then you know he basically told me what was going on and uh zero sleep that night for sure. I didn’t sleep at all.”

Max Christie on the night of the Luka Doncic trade:

“We just beat the Knicks in New York by 10 or 15. We were feeling good. We were kind of rolling at that point. I had started maybe 15 to 20 games in a row at that point for us. We were on the way back to the hotel. We were… https://t.co/FtAbYdgFP2 pic.twitter.com/pX45KJVHqE
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) April 3, 2026

While initially overwhelmed, he acknowledged feeling “numb” given the scale of the deal. Over time, though, he has settled into his role in Dallas and embraced the transition.

If anything, the trade reshaped both franchises, but for Christie, it remains a deeply personal moment.

Dallas Mavericks Should Build Around Max Christie & Cooper Flagg

With new details coming to light after a year, the Dallas Mavericks have entered a new phase following the Luka Doncic trade. However, now, the focus has shifted toward building a sustainable core around rookie centerpiece Cooper Flagg.

While landing Flagg gives the franchise a clear direction, the supporting cast remains a work in progress. But one name firmly in that surfaces in that conversation is Max Christie.

Max Christie (Image Credits: Imagn)

Acquired as part of the Doncic deal, the former Michigan State guard has quietly positioned himself as a potential long-term fit.

However, consistency remains a concern, as in a recent 20-game stretch, Christie has averaged just 9.3 points while shooting 34.5% from beyond the arc.

Ultimately, every decision should align with Flagg’s trajectory. Christie may not be the centerpiece, but in the right role, he could still be part of the blueprint moving forward.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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