A healthy Maxi Kleber might be the wild card the Lakers didn’t know they needed.
Kleber barely saw the floor last season with the Mavericks after a foot injury sidelined him in January. He only logged five minutes during the Mavs’ playoff loss to the Timberwolves — but that could be about to change.
NBA insider Marc Stein recently shared that both Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber are making strides:
“Jarred Vanderbilt is healthier now than he was at any point last season… Ditto for Maxi Kleber.”
And that’s no small thing for a Lakers squad still looking for reliable size and defensive flexibility.
What Maxi Brings That Nobody Else Does
The Lakers added Deandre Ayton and brought back Jaxson Hayes, giving them plenty of size. But what they don’t have is a frontcourt player who can guard the perimeter and stretch the floor.
That’s where Kleber steps in. When healthy, he’s one of the few true hybrids — a big who can:
- Switch defensively
- Hit over 35% from deep
- Make smart reads without disrupting offensive rhythm
He doesn’t chase stats. He just fits. And he helps others thrive — especially stars.
The Hidden Weapon? Chemistry With Luka
Another thing working in Kleber’s favor: his long-time chemistry with Luka Dončić. That kind of on-court familiarity matters in tight games. During Dallas’ run to the 2024 NBA Finals, Kleber played valuable minutes next to Luka — and that kind of synergy could carry over in LA when things slow down in the playoffs.
He won’t take over quarters or drop triple-doubles, but he doesn’t have to. What he does do is keep spacing clean, cover ground defensively, and allow the Lakers to toggle between big and small lineups without giving up IQ or toughness.
His Last Real Shot
Kleber is entering the final year of his 3-year, $33 million deal — and at age 33, this might be his last chance to prove he still belongs on a contender.
The Lakers don’t need him to be a star. They just need him healthy.
If he holds up, Kleber might go from overlooked veteran to the glue guy this team was missing all along — the kind of under-the-radar pickup that helps win playoff games.
