The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly intend to recreate and improve upon the type of roster that Luka Doncic played with on the 2023-24 Dallas Mavericks. In recreating Doncic's past magic, however, Los Angeles must remember that current teammate Maxi Kleber previously proved that Doncic can thrive with bigs of multiple archetypes.
If the Lakers take a chance on North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar at No. 25 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, they can give Doncic a center who fits the Kleber mold and instantly diversifies their offense.
Kleber has battled injuries in recent years, but he and Doncic once formed a lethal pick-and-pop duo in Dallas. Between 2018-19 and 2023-24, the German big man shot 36.5 percent from beyond the arc and offered a path to playmaking success that Doncic routinely exploited.
That includes the fact that Kleber averaged 25.4 minutes per game and shot 43.6 percent from beyond the arc during the Mavericks' run to the 2022 Western Conference Finals.
Clearly, the 2024 Mavericks reaching the NBA Finals with rim-runners such as Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II offers reason to invest in a different archetype at the interior positions. There doesn't need to be a choice between one and the other, however, as the Lakers have free agency, the NBA Draft, and the trade market at their disposal.
Thankfully, the Lakers could have a chance to fill the Kleber role with the added benefit of superior size if they select Henri Veesaar at No. 25 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Henri Veesaar can fill the Maxi Kleber role on offense with Luka Doncic
Veesaar, 22, is one of the best stretch bigs in the 2026 NBA Draft. In 2025-26, the junior averaged 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.2 offensive boards, 2.1 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.3 three-point field goals made while shooting the lights out at a clip of .608/.426/.615.
Standing at 6'11.25" without shoes and 227 pounds with a 7'2" wingspan and a 9'3" standing reach, Veesaar has the combination of size and offensive proficiency to give the Lakers an entirely new look.
Beyond the stats and measurables, Veesaar is capable of operating both on and away from the ball. As an off-ball player, he's a solid screen-setter who rolls comfortably out to the perimeter and punishes teams for sagging off of him along the three-point line.
That alone could greatly improve the spacing for a Lakers team that ranked No. 24 in three-point field goals attempted in 2025-26 despite the fact that Doncic is a known downhill player.
Henri Veesaar is a 6'11" offensive dynamo
Veesaar is also one of the best passing bigs in this class. He not only sets up and distributes from the high post with handoffs, but has the precision and vision to hit slashers along the baseline and shooters as they're coming off of screens.
With Veesaar adding an element to the Lakers' offense that the current bigs have only briefly flashed, JJ Redick could run a far more dynamic offense.
There are questions about Veesaar's defensive acumen, but he's fairly quick on his feet and should be able to adapt to the pace of the NBA because of it. He may not win many footraces, but he was No. 6 among centers in the lane agility drill and No. 7 in the shuttle run—at less than an inch under 7'0", no less.
Though he may not be the defensive anchor the Lakers need, Veesaar can provide a sense of stability to the second unit as a floor-spacing and playmaking big who can help Doncic find his new Kleber.
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