Lakers Veteran May Have Already Played His Final Game in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — December 15 is fast approaching, and with it comes the unofficial start of NBA trade season. For the Los Angeles Lakers, this isn’t a matter of if a move will happen — it’s a matter of when.

As front offices across the league prepare to act, Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka will almost certainly explore the market in search of upgrades. And if Los Angeles follows a strategy similar to what the Warriors executed last season — making early moves to test roster combinations — one name stands out as a likely trade piece:

Maxi Kleber.

🔁 Why Maxi Kleber Stands Out as a Trade Candidate

Kleber arrived in Los Angeles with little fanfare, included as a secondary piece in the blockbuster Luka Dončić trade. Since then, his impact has been minimal.

The veteran big man didn’t make his Lakers debut until the 2025 NBA Playoffs, after spending most of the season recovering from injury. When he finally saw the floor in the first-round series against Minnesota, his limited minutes became a symbol of the Lakers’ lack of depth during the 2024–25 campaign.

That brief postseason appearance failed to change his standing within the rotation.

📉 Production Hasn’t Matched the Opportunity

After a healthy offseason, Kleber entered the current season with a chance to carve out a meaningful role. Instead, his contributions have remained modest.

So far this season, Kleber is averaging:

• 1.8 points
• 1.8 rebounds
• 12.1 minutes per game
• Shooting splits of 40% FG / 38% 3PT / 75% FT

For a player earning $11 million in the 2025–26 season, the production simply hasn’t justified the cost.

💰 Expiring Contract Makes Him Movable

Despite the lack of on-court impact, Kleber holds real value on the trade market for one key reason: his contract is expiring.

Expiring deals are often useful tools in midseason trades, especially for teams looking to:

• Create financial flexibility
• Match salaries in multi-player deals
• Acquire short-term depth or future assets

For a Lakers team desperate for defense, athleticism, shooting, and bench scoring, Kleber’s contract could be more valuable than his minutes.

🏥 Injury Timing Could Seal His Fate

Kleber is currently sidelined with a lower back injury, and that absence may only accelerate trade discussions. With Los Angeles struggling in several key areas, the front office may not feel compelled to wait for his return before pulling the trigger on a deal.

In fact, any move aimed at improving perimeter defense or frontcourt mobility could come before Kleber even suits up again.

🔍 A Change of Scenery Feels Inevitable

In Dallas, Kleber was a reliable role player for years. But that version of him hasn’t consistently appeared over the past few seasons — and it certainly hasn’t materialized in Los Angeles.

As trade season opens, all signs point to Kleber being one of the first names discussed in Lakers trade talks. There’s a growing sense that his Lakers tenure may already be over — even if the transaction hasn’t been finalized yet.