Ever since joining the Los Angeles Lakers as a part of the Luka Doncic trade, one thing quickly became clear about Maxi Kleber. His days as an NBA-level role player were fading fast. As such, when this summer arrived, Rob Pelinka and company made no real effort to bring him back as a free agent.
That does not mean Doncic would not still find a way to help his longtime teammate. Doncic and Kleber have been together since the 2018-19 season — Luka's rookie year in the NBA. Now, the veteran big man could end up playing for one of his old superstar's teams in a much different way.
Earlier in the summer, it was rumored that Kleber was eyeing a move back to Europe to continue playing basketball. Midway through September, that idea has picked up steam. Marc Stein suggested in his latest rumor mill round-up that Doncic is on the verge of helping his old buddy land on his next team.
Stein brought up that BC Roma, which was co-founded by Luka and Donnie Nelson, is 'embarking on its first top-flight season in Italy.' The league sources of the NBA insider were telling him that team was exploring the idea of bringing in Kleber to aid their cause.
Luka Doncic could land Maxi Kleber a spot with BC Roma
At 34 years old, Kleber is certainly near his last chapter of being a professional basketball player. That does not mean he has nothing to offer to a team at this stage of his career, though.
Kleber only posted 2.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 10.7 minutes per game during 43 regular season appearances for the Lakers in 2025-26. Those type of figures are not going to keep someone's spot in the NBA, beyond a veteran mentor role. However, as the slightly clichéd saying goes, there are levels to this.
Europe is still a massive stage for basketball, but it is certainly not the NBA. A fading role player in the NBA can still be a productive player over there. That is what Kleber would be hoping for here.
His ability as a scorer is the thing that has most noticeably declined, by NBA standards, over recent years. Where Kleber still shines is on the defensive end and in the effort department. Lakers fans still saw plenty of encouraging moments there last season.
Will that be enough for one more successful run in his basketball twilight? Probably. At the very least, that is what Doncic will be hoping in trying to secure the gig with BC Roma for his old teammate.
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