Maxi Kleber, once a fan favorite with the Dallas Mavericks, has transitioned to the Los Angeles Lakers amid trade rumors. After spending eight seasons in Dallas, he was part of a major trade that included superstar Luka Dončić. However, injuries have plagued Kleber's recent seasons, limiting his contributions to the Lakers, where he has only played a handful of minutes after suffering a foot fracture.

The Lakers, needing to create cap space to sign guard Marcus Smart, considered trading Kleber as part of a larger deal. They first released Shake Milton to free up some funds but ultimately opted for a simpler move by cutting Jordan Goodwin instead, allowing them to finalize Smart’s signing.

With Kleber now back on the court, he aims to remain healthy and impactful alongside Dončić in Los Angeles. His versatility as a big man has been noted, especially with his ability to shoot from the perimeter, but the Lakers hope he can overcome his injury challenges as they pursue a championship next season.