It's no secret that Max Christie didn't like how he was used - or more specifically, not used - last season with Darvin Ham. Speaking to Allie Clifton at Spectrum SportsNet this week, Christie made it clear he's highly motivated this season after signing his 4-year, $32 million contract this offseason, and is fired up about the new coaching staff.

But whil most Lakers fans are excited to see Christie back and be given a chance to play, not every analyst around the league thinks this was a great deal. At the least, it's not without risk. Christie hasn't proven himself as an 82-game rotation player to this point. That probably should have happened last year, but here we are.

So the Lakers invested with some unknowns definitely still on the table. That can't be argued.

Can Christie step in and produce as the Lakers hope he can... and need him to? What would it mean for the team, in terms of optionality and flexibility, for Christie to break through this year? Who else on the roster is under the microscope in the same way? Start with Austin Reaves, who needs to make a jump if the Lakers are going to hit their ceiling as currently constructed.

And what about JJ Redick? He's not a player, obviously, but few around the league will be scrutinized like him, and the Lakers need coaching to contribute to more wins this season, after letting Ham go.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Max Christie on his contract and the new staff.

SEGMENT 2: Can Christie meet the expectations set for him?

SEGMENT 3: Where Redick ranks...

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