The Lakers are realizing what the Dallas Mavericks [already knew about Maxi Kleber](https://thesmokingcuban.com/dallas-mavericks-fans-are-already-laughing-as-lakers-fall-for-maxi-kleber-hype), but you know what? Los Angeles would do that trade a million times over, since it's the one that landed Luka Dončić in Hollywood. Kleber, though, has played only five games for the Lakers since the trade.
He didn't make his LA debut until April 30, Game 5 against the Timberwolves. Kleber played five minutes, finishing with two points, in what was the team's final game of the season.
Shortly before the start of the 2025-26 season, on Oct. 21, the Lakers announced that Kleber had an oblique strain and would be re-evaluated in two weeks. So, he started his time in LA injured from a fractured right foot, an injury that happened while he was still in Dallas, and then, with the season about to start, another injury popped up after [what was a healthy offseason](https://thesmokingcuban.com/dallas-mavericks-fans-are-already-laughing-as-lakers-fall-for-maxi-kleber-hype) for him.
Kleber made his regular-season debut for the Lakers on Nov. 8, recording one point, two rebounds, and two blocks during 14 minutes in LA's 122-102 loss to Atlanta. He played a season-high 25 minutes against the Bucks on Nov. 15 in a 119-95 win, but finished with more fouls (five) than he did points (three), assists (three), and rebounds (one).
Keep in mind that the Lakers are paying Kleber $11 million this season.
Maxi Kleber has been a non-factor for the Lakers
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Kleber struggled to stay healthy during his last four-and-a-half seasons with the Mavericks, but he did help the team reach the conference finals in 2022. He averaged 8.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in 25.3 minutes, shooting 50.9% from the field and 43.6% from three.
Kleber got hurt in the first round of the 2024 playoffs, but when he returned at the end of the conference finals, he rejoined the rotation and played in all five NBA Finals games.
Los Angeles could use Kleber as a backup center, as JJ Redick did briefly in the postseason. The Lakers' current backup is Jaxson Hayes, whom Redick benched in the playoffs. The issue is that LA can't rely on Kleber because he can't stay healthy. Right now, the Lakers' best path is trying to see what they can turn his expiring salary into before the trade deadline.
It puts things into perspective that Kleber has played in fewer games than Anthony Davis, who has also battled a few injuries since the trade. The version of Kleber that the Mavericks had in their playoff runs may be no more.