# Maxi Kleber
**Maxi Kleber** (full name Maximilian Kleber, born 1992 in Würzburg, Germany) is a German professional basketball player, a 6-foot-10, 240-pound forward for the [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.edgepedia.org/los-angeles-lakers) of the NBA. He went undrafted in 2014, signed with the [Dallas Mavericks](https://www.edgepedia.org/dallas-mavericks) before the 2017-18 season, and spent eight seasons in Dallas before being traded to the Lakers in February 2025 as part of the deal that sent [Luka Dončić](https://www.edgepedia.org/luka-doncic) to Los Angeles.[1](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/bio/_/id/2960236/maxi-kleber) • [2](https://www.nba.com/lakers/team/player-pages/maxi-kleber-1628467) • [3](https://apnews.com/article/7c8064be5c8e941489f14500fa43f5e7)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1992, Würzburg, Germany[1](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/bio/_/id/2960236/maxi-kleber) |
| Physical profile | 6'10" (2.08 m), 240 lb (109 kg); position forward, also used as a small-ball center[4](https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1628467) |
| Draft | Undrafted in 2014; signed with Dallas before the 2017-18 season[2](https://www.nba.com/lakers/team/player-pages/maxi-kleber-1628467) |
| Career history | Dallas Mavericks 2017-2025 (8 seasons); Los Angeles Lakers 2025-present[1](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/bio/_/id/2960236/maxi-kleber) |
| Career averages | 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists per game; 6.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists in 24.2 minutes over 44 playoff games[2](https://www.nba.com/lakers/team/player-pages/maxi-kleber-1628467) |
| Signature moment | Game-winning buzzer-beating 3-pointer in Dallas's 111-110 win at the Lakers on March 17, 2023[5](https://www.nba.com/news/maxi-kleber-3-buzzer-beater-winner-lakers-horry-scale-march-17) |
| Deepest playoff runs | 2022 Western Conference Finals and 2024 NBA Finals with Dallas[6](https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2024-25-Dallas-Mavericks-Media-Guide-2.pdf) |
| Contract | 3 years, $33 million with Dallas ($11 million average annual); became a free agent on July 1, 2026[7](https://www.spotrac.com/nba/player/_/id/24212/maxi-kleber) • [8](https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Maxi-Kleber/Summary/27060) |
## Early life and German career
Kleber started basketball in 2000 at age eight with TV Veitshöchheim, moving through SC Heuchelhof (2002-2008) and TG Würzburg to the [Würzburg Baskets](https://www.edgepedia.org/wurzburg-baskets). He was regarded early as one of the outstanding German basketball talents, though injuries repeatedly set him back.[9](https://www.munzinger.de/register/portrait/biographien/kleber%20maximilian/01/8841)
In May 2012, at 20 years old and with barely more than three hours of Beko BBL playing time for the s.Oliver Baskets, he declared as an early entry for the [NBA draft](https://www.edgepedia.org/nba-draft), one of 66 entrants (17 of them European) and the only German that year. He said at the time that he expected to stay in the [Bundesliga](https://www.edgepedia.org/bundesliga) the following season.[10](https://www.wuerzburg-baskets.de/news/newsdetails/maxi-kleber-meldet-sich-zum-nba-draft) He went undrafted in 2014 and later played for Bayern Munich, the team listed as his last club before the NBA.[2](https://www.nba.com/lakers/team/player-pages/maxi-kleber-1628467) • [4](https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1628467) His German honors include two BBL All-Star selections, German cup runner-up finishes in 2016 and 2017, and participation in the 2019 World Cup.[9](https://www.munzinger.de/register/portrait/biographien/kleber%20maximilian/01/8841)
## Dallas Mavericks (2017-2025)
Kleber signed a multi-year contract with Dallas on July 12, 2017, and spent his first two seasons playing alongside [Dirk Nowitzki](https://www.edgepedia.org/dirk-nowitzki) before the veteran retired.[8](https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Maxi-Kleber/Summary/27060) • [9](https://www.munzinger.de/register/portrait/biographien/kleber%20maximilian/01/8841) His role was defined by versatility rather than scoring: a nominal power forward who could also play center, guard either forward spot, and switch onto most guards without being exploited. Dallas used him as a stretch four on offense, valued for floor spacing and solid defense.[11](https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2019/4/25/18411088/maxi-kleber-season-recap-dallas-mavericks-bayern-munich-german-basketball) • [12](https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/headlines/maxi-kleber-injury-ruled-out-vs-spurs-507968) Teammate Luka Dončić described him as a player whose contributions often do not show in statistics, and the Süddeutsche Zeitung called him the team's "invisible secret weapon."[9](https://www.munzinger.de/register/portrait/biographien/kleber%20maximilian/01/8841)
**Playoff runs.** In the 2022 playoffs Kleber played all 18 games of Dallas's run to the Western Conference Finals, averaging a playoff career-high 8.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 25.4 minutes. In the 2024 playoffs he appeared in 13 games during the Mavericks' run to the [NBA Finals](https://www.edgepedia.org/nba-finals), averaging 3.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists while shooting 42.9 percent on three-pointers.[6](https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2024-25-Dallas-Mavericks-Media-Guide-2.pdf)
**The buzzer beater.** On March 17, 2023, Kleber scored 10 points in 29 minutes, including Dallas's final 6 points, three clutch free throws, and the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer in a 111-110 win at the Lakers. No other Dallas player had ever made a buzzer-beating, game-deciding shot versus the Lakers in that building, which was previously known as Staples Center, until he did so at [Crypto.com Arena](https://www.edgepedia.org/crypto-com-arena).[13](https://cdn.nba.com/teams/uploads/sites/1610612742/2025/09/2024-25-Dallas-Mavericks-Media-Guide-2_compressed.pdf) • [5](https://www.nba.com/news/maxi-kleber-3-buzzer-beater-winner-lakers-horry-scale-march-17)
**Injuries.** Kleber's Dallas years were repeatedly interrupted. He missed 11 games in January 2021 with a symptomatic case of COVID-19 and dealt with Achilles soreness late that season.[14](https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2021/10/7/22707767/for-maxi-kleber-less-may-be-more) In December 2022 he tore a hamstring in practice, underwent surgery on December 20, and missed 36 games.[13](https://cdn.nba.com/teams/uploads/sites/1610612742/2025/09/2024-25-Dallas-Mavericks-Media-Guide-2_compressed.pdf) In May 2024, during Game 6 of the first-round series against the Clippers, he suffered a complete dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint of his right shoulder after falling awkwardly on a drive, an injury expected to sideline him for an extended period.[15](https://as.com/us/baloncesto/dallas-mavericks-pierden-a-maxi-kleber-indefinidamente-n/)
## Trade to the Lakers (2025)
On February 2, 2025, the Mavericks traded Dončić, Kleber, and [Markieff Morris](https://www.edgepedia.org/markieff-morris) to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick, in a three-team deal that also involved the [Utah Jazz](https://www.edgepedia.org/utah-jazz), who received Jalen Hood-Schifino and 2025 second-round picks.[3](https://apnews.com/article/7c8064be5c8e941489f14500fa43f5e7) • [16](https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/02/02/luka-doncic-lakers-trade-dallas-mavericks) At the time of the trade Kleber was on crutches after surgery on a broken right foot, with re-evaluation scheduled in eight weeks.[17](https://apnews.com/article/06d24aebbc2d5fe76a208e774836e7e7)
His Lakers tenure was limited by further injuries. He played only one game as a Laker in the remainder of 2024-25 while earning $11 million, a contract frequently described as valuable mainly as an expiring deal.[18](https://as.com/baloncesto/nba/el-fastuoso-eurobasket-de-doncic-cambia-la-idea-de-los-lakers-n/) He became a free agent on July 1, 2026.[8](https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Maxi-Kleber/Summary/27060)
## Playing style
Kleber's value rests on two skills unusual for his size. On offense he shoots three-pointers as a big man, allowing Dallas to play five-out spacing lineups; on defense he can guard frontcourt players from bulky centers to rangy wings, stick with players on the perimeter, and contest at the rim, which made him a frequent small-ball five in clutch lineups under coach [Jason Kidd](https://www.edgepedia.org/jason-kidd).[11](https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2019/4/25/18411088/maxi-kleber-season-recap-dallas-mavericks-bayern-munich-german-basketball) • [21](https://www.dmagazine.com/sports/2021/10/maxi-kleber-and-dwight-powell-could-be-the-mavericks-big-difference/) • [22](https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/2905741) His shooting has been streaky: he hit 7 of 11 threes in the first three games of the 2021 Clippers series before going 1 of 9 in the final four contests, and his three-point percentage has swung between roughly 31 and 41 percent across seasons.[14](https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2021/10/7/22707767/for-maxi-kleber-less-may-be-more) • [19](https://3pointstats.com/p/maxi-kleber)
## References
1. [Maxi Kleber Biography, ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/bio/_/id/2960236/maxi-kleber)
2. [Los Angeles Lakers: Maxi Kleber, NBA.com](https://www.nba.com/lakers/team/player-pages/maxi-kleber-1628467)
3. [Luka Doncic heads to the Lakers and Anthony Davis goes to the Mavs in blockbuster trade, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/7c8064be5c8e941489f14500fa43f5e7)
4. [Maxi Kleber player profile, NBA.com Stats](https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1628467)
5. [Horry Scale: Maxi Kleber winner quashes Lakers comeback, NBA.com](https://www.nba.com/news/maxi-kleber-3-buzzer-beater-winner-lakers-horry-scale-march-17)
6. [2024-25 Dallas Mavericks Media Guide](https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2024-25-Dallas-Mavericks-Media-Guide-2.pdf)
7. [Maxi Kleber NBA Contracts & Salaries, Spotrac](https://www.spotrac.com/nba/player/_/id/24212/maxi-kleber)
8. [Maxi Kleber Player Profile, RealGM](https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Maxi-Kleber/Summary/27060)
9. [Maximilian Kleber, Munzinger Biographie](https://www.munzinger.de/register/portrait/biographien/kleber%20maximilian/01/8841)
10. [Maxi Kleber meldet sich zum NBA Draft, Würzburg Baskets](https://www.wuerzburg-baskets.de/news/newsdetails/maxi-kleber-meldet-sich-zum-nba-draft)
11. [Maxi Kleber established himself in his second year, Mavs Moneyball](https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2019/4/25/18411088/maxi-kleber-season-recap-dallas-mavericks-bayern-munich-german-basketball)
12. [Maxi Kleber NBA Stats & News, RotoWire](https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/headlines/maxi-kleber-injury-ruled-out-vs-spurs-507968)
13. [2024-25 Dallas Mavericks Media Guide (NBA CDN)](https://cdn.nba.com/teams/uploads/sites/1610612742/2025/09/2024-25-Dallas-Mavericks-Media-Guide-2_compressed.pdf)
14. [Maxi Kleber is a good basketball player and sometimes the Mavericks ask too much of him, Mavs Moneyball](https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2021/10/7/22707767/for-maxi-kleber-less-may-be-more)
15. [Los Mavericks pierden a Maxi Kleber indefinidamente, AS](https://as.com/us/baloncesto/dallas-mavericks-pierden-a-maxi-kleber-indefinidamente-n/)
16. [Luka Dončić thanks Mavericks fans after trade to the Lakers, Axios](https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/02/02/luka-doncic-lakers-trade-dallas-mavericks)
17. [Luka Doncic is excited to join the Lakers after the shock of his stunning trade away from Dallas, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/06d24aebbc2d5fe76a208e774836e7e7)
18. [El fastuoso EuroBasket de Doncic cambia la idea de los Lakers, AS](https://as.com/baloncesto/nba/el-fastuoso-eurobasket-de-doncic-cambia-la-idea-de-los-lakers-n/)
19. [Maxi Kleber career stats & shot charts, 3pointstats](https://3pointstats.com/p/maxi-kleber)
20. [NBA Injury Report, 11/02/25](https://ak-static.cms.nba.com/referee/injury/Injury-Report_2025-11-02_11AM.pdf)
21. [Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell Could Be the Mavericks' Big Difference, D Magazine](https://www.dmagazine.com/sports/2021/10/maxi-kleber-and-dwight-powell-could-be-the-mavericks-big-difference/)
22. [Kleber at the center of the Mavs' playoff ambitions again, theScore](https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/2905741)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Other team and ball sports › Basketball and court team sports › Basketball players and coaches (biographies) › Current NBA players › Power forwards*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license