The Los Angeles Lakers' lack of offseason activity and frustrating free agency have been well-documented. Despite the fans' desperate desire for immediate roster upgrades, GM Rob Pelinka has largely kept the team's powder dry. As a result, the Lakers are starting next season with the same core, other than replacing Dorian Finney-Smith with Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton.
One of the biggest reasons for the Lakers' [inability to improve the roster](lasportshub.com/oft-injured-lakers-vet-could-still-be-replaced-august-01k04nknfxp4) is the sheer number of terrible contracts on their books. The front office has hamstrung itself with the negative-value deals it signed or acquired. Jarred Vanderbilt, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent are set to make a cumulative $41 million for the 2025-26 season. None of these deals, however, are as bad as the $11 million Maxi Kleber will make next year.
Maxi Kleber's $11 Million Salary for Next Season Is Highway Robbery
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Kleber was acquired by the Lakers as part of the Luka Doncic trade. The 33-year-old combo big was coming back from an injury and didn't make a regular-season appearance for the Lakers. In the first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, head coach JJ Redick threw the German veteran out there in desperation for five minutes, and that was Kleber's only minutes as a Laker.
Things should look better for Kleber next season, but the days of him as a reliable frontcourt option are over. He hasn't played 60 games in a season for the last five years, and has missed a total of 132 regular-season games in the last three campaigns. When he is available, he can be a fine two-way option thanks to his ability to switch defensively and hit shots offensively.
Those times have unfortunately been few and far between, making his $11 million salary for next season akin to highway robbery. Thankfully, it is an expiring contract, and the Lakers would love to include that contract in a trade before the season, but considering how little Kleber will likely contribute on the court, that may be easier said than done.
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