LOS ANGELES — Maxi Kleber was somewhat of an afterthought this time last year; the extra fringe piece included in the now-infamous swap that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers and Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks.
Kleber’s role on the Lakers has primarily been as the third big man, occasionally playing early in games – jumping into action when frontcourt peers Deandre Ayton or Jaxson Hayes fall into foul trouble. The 34-year-old German isn’t going to be consistently filling up the stat line, or leading his team in any category in the box score, averaging a career-low 11 minutes per game in just 25 games.
Kleber’s season highs are 11 points and five rebounds, both of which came in a Jan. 17 loss to Portland. Take the Lakers’ Thursday night victory against the Philadelphia 76ers as an example.
Kleber – in his ninth NBA season – recorded four points, four rebounds and three steals in a 119-115 win. But his contributions went beyond the box score. The 6-foot-10 forward/center filled in behind Ayton as Hayes served a one-game suspension – lifting his teammates with a team-high plus-23 in the plus-minus, hustling for offensive rebounds and holding 76ers star Joel Embiid to just two baskets in the fourth quarter as guard Austin Reaves (35 points) and the Lakers (31-19) took control.
“I think the one thing that you always can do is just support and be there for your teammates,” Kleber said when asked about mentally staying ready during sporadic playing time. “I think that keeps you mentally in the game. And then you just want to make sure that you do your work. When you do your work, you are always prepared whenever you throw them in there.”
Coach JJ Redick pointed to Kleber’s containment when switching onto 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey as a highlight on Thursday, adding that in his message to the team after the game, he credited Kleber’s effort and toughness.
“The ultimate professional,” Lakers guard Marcus Smart said of Kleber, who kicked out a fourth-quarter offensive rebound to Smart, who then drained a 3-pointer. “There’s a reason why Maxi is still in this league, still playing and there’s a reason why he’s on this team with us. There’s a reason why we celebrate him the way we do.”
In recent weeks, Kleber had been playing in the stay-ready games alongside Reaves, who had been nursing his left calf strain before returning earlier this week. The five-player group of Drew Timme, Bronny James, Nick Smith Jr., Kleber and Reaves, the first four players representing the back of the Lakers’ bench, put in time together.
“I felt bad for them at one point because we were playing every other day and then they had to suit up for a game,” Reaves said.
But the experience of “staying ready,” also showcased to Reaves the type of impact Kleber has had on the group.
“People that actually know basketball know the impact that he has every single time he steps on the court,” Reaves said. “He does what a lot of people don’t want to do every single possession. He never complains about a shot or anything.
“He probably didn’t play in I don’t know how many games basically and then comes in tonight and he’s probably the most impactful player we have.”
Kleber joked that during the stay-ready games, all he had to do was set screens and Reaves would convert shots.
On Thursday night, stay ready turned into now ready – for Reaves and Kleber alike.
WARRIORS AT LAKERS
When: Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Crypto.com Arena
TV/Radio: ABC (Ch. 7), 710 AM, 980 AM