The Los Angeles Lakers have a few surefire players for 2025-26. But there are a few question marks.
A new look Luka Doncic and an evergreen LeBron James should combine to lead to LA Lakers the a high floor this coming season.
And when you consider the talented cast around them, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton, the Lakers are in a strong position.
There is a lot of intrigue around the Lakers’ draft pick Adou Thiero, and still hope that Dalton Knecht can improve after a mixed rookie season.
But the ultimate question mark lies over a player the Lakers have barely got to know, Maxi Kleber.
Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty ImagesMaxi Kleber played only once for the LA Lakers
The LA Lakers acquired Maxi Kleber as a throw-in as part of the Luka Doncic trade in early February. But there was a problem.
Kleber had sustained a broken foot in late January, ruling him out for the rest of the regular season. He barely featured in the playoffs either.
There was plenty of surprise when Lakers coach JJ Redick called on him during the Lakers’ elimination-inducing Game 5 defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It was a desperate throw of the dice, sending Kleber into an intense game with the Lakers requiring a spark. And it did not work, but perhaps it was better for Redick to try and have regrets, than not try at all.
If anything it showed the respect and trust Redick has in Kleber, to consider that he was capable of handling a moment like that.
To date Kleber has one appearance for the Lakers, consisting of five minutes played, and two points scored.
No guarantee Kleber makes the season as a Laker
As for what Kleber can offer the LA Lakers next season, this remains a mystery, in the context of the team’s current roster and situation.
The German spent his entire NBA career previously with the Dallas Mavericks, playing a total of 440 regular season games and 45 in the postseason.
And despite the fact he remains on their roster heading into training camp, he begins as a peripheral figure, perhaps as low as eighth on the depth chart, with everything to prove.
There are also whispers that Kleber might not make it to next season still on the LA Lakers.
It was described on the Lakers Nation podcast how Kleber’s $11 million contract could be waived and stretched, to create extra salary room to sign another player.
But for now this is hypothetical, and Kleber remains under salary to the Lakers for another season.
It might be a smart idea to discover what they have with the player first.