Maxi Kleber did not get much time in a Los Angeles Lakers jersey last season. He dealt with an injury he suffered in January and was only able to muster just five minutes in a playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. All of that could change in a big way.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Kleber is finally trending in the right direction: “Jarred Vanderbilt is healthier now than he was at any point last season... Ditto for Maxi Kleber.”
For a team still searching for lineup versatility and defensive consistency, that kind of update matters.
Maxi Kleber’s health update all but confirms a key role for Lakers
The Lakers made sure to have size going into next season. They grabbed Deandre Ayton once he was bought out by the Portland Trailblazers and brought back Jaxson Hayes. That being said, what they do not have is a frontcourt player who can guard in space and stretch the floor.
That is where Kleber can make his mark. He has the ability to switch on the perimeter, rotate within defensive schemes, and shoot north of 35 percent from beyond the arc. That makes him one of the few true hybrid bigs on the roster.
Kleber’s low-key role could unleash the Lakers’ lineup potential
Kleber is not going to stuff the stat sheet. He will not rack up double-doubles or take over a quarter by storm. But when he is healthy, he can act as a great connector.
He should be able to keep the floor open for Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Most importantly, he allows the Lakers to toggle between looks whether it be playing big or small, slow or fast, and he will do it without sacrificing IQ or spacing.
Kleber and Doncic’s automatic chemistry could certainly be a secret weapon
Kleber also has chemistry with Doncic. That kind of history matters, especially in pressure moments when reads need to be automatic. During their time on the Dallas Mavericks, Kleber played key minutes alongside Doncic. He was even given run-time during the 2024 NBA Finals push.
This season, he will be on an expiring deal. He is entering the final year of a three-year, $33 million contract. At 33 years old, coming off a foot fracture, this is likely his last shot to prove he belongs on a contending team. But the good news is, the Lakers do not need him to be a superstar.
If his body holds up, Kleber could go from afterthought to answer. The kind of role player that does not grab headlines, but makes winning basketball easier.