In a move that sent shockwaves through the NBA landscape, the Los Angeles Lakers have officially parted ways with Maxi Kleber, the 6-foot-10 stretch forward who once formed a dynamic pick-and-pop duo with superstar Luka Doncic during their time together on the Dallas Mavericks. The decision, confirmed just days ahead of the February 5, 2026, trade deadline, marks the end of Kleber’s brief and underwhelming stint in purple and gold—a tenure that began with high hopes but fizzled into irrelevance amid injuries, lackluster performance, and the team’s desperate push for contention.
Kleber, now 33 years old and carrying a hefty $33 million contract, was acquired by the Lakers as part of the blockbuster February 2, 2025, trade that landed Doncic in Los Angeles. At the time, the deal was hailed as a masterstroke, bringing the Slovenian phenom to Hollywood while Kleber was seen as a valuable complementary piece—a reliable floor-spacer with defensive versatility. But fast-forward to the 2025-26 season, and the narrative has flipped dramatically. Kleber’s contributions have been minimal at best, averaging a paltry 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in just 12.1 minutes per game. His 37.5% shooting from beyond the arc, while respectable, couldn’t mask the overall lack of impact on a Lakers squad starving for defense, athleticism, bench scoring, and consistent shooting.
The writing was on the wall for weeks. Sidelined by a nagging lower back injury, Kleber watched from the bench as the Lakers struggled through a turbulent start to the season under head coach JJ Redick. Sources close to the team indicate that the front office, led by Rob Pelinka, viewed Kleber as expendable—an asset better suited as trade bait to address more pressing needs. “The Lakers are in win-now mode with LeBron James still anchoring the roster and Doncic emerging as the franchise’s future,” an insider told us. “Kleber’s skill set just didn’t align with the athletic, high-energy style Redick is trying to implement. It was time to move on.”
The trade, finalized late Friday evening, sees Kleber heading to an undisclosed Eastern Conference team in exchange for a package that includes a young wing prospect and future draft picks—details of which are still emerging. This isn’t the first time the Lakers have made a midseason pivot; as Lake Show Life analyst Svyatoslav Rovenchuk noted in a recent piece, the Golden State Warriors set a precedent last season by acquiring Dennis Schroder early, testing the fit, and then flipping him for Jimmy Butler when it didn’t pan out. The Lakers appear to be following a similar blueprint, using Kleber’s contract and veteran presence to grease the wheels for a bigger splash.
For Kleber, this exile from LA represents a bittersweet chapter’s close. Once a key cog in the Mavericks’ system, where he thrived alongside Doncic in playoff battles, his transition to the Lakers never quite clicked. Injuries hampered his ability to integrate, and with the team’s depth chart crowded by emerging talents like Rui Hachimura and emerging free-agent additions, opportunities dwindled. “Maxi gave us what he could, but the NBA is a business,” Redick said in a post-trade presser. “We’re grateful for his professionalism, but this move positions us better for the stretch run.”
Doncic, for his part, has remained diplomatic about the departure of his former teammate. In a brief statement, the All-Star guard reflected on their shared history: “Maxi and I had some great moments in Dallas. He’s a pro through and through. Wishing him the best wherever he lands.” But behind the scenes, the decision underscores the harsh realities of the league—loyalty takes a backseat to results, especially in a market as demanding as Los Angeles.
As the Lakers gear up for the remainder of the season, this “brutal” call signals a clear message: no one’s spot is safe in the quest for another banner. With the trade deadline looming, expect more fireworks from the Purple and Gold. For Maxi Kleber, though, the Hollywood lights have dimmed—his LA era is officially, unceremoniously over. What’s next for the German big man? Only time will tell, but one thing’s certain: the NBA’s carousel never stops spinning.