Maxi Kleber Bio
Maximilian Kleber (born 29 January 1992) is a German professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Listed at 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) and 240 lb (109 kg), he plays the power forward and center positions while wearing jersey No. 14. He spent the first seven years of his career playing in Germany and Spain before joining the Dallas Mavericks in 2017, where he developed into a key rotation player.
In February 2025, Kleber was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of the controversial deal that sent Luka Dončić to Los Angeles and Anthony Davis to Dallas. Over a professional career that began in 2011, he has earned recognition in European basketball, including All-EuroCup Second Team honors and German League Most Effective Player in 2017.
Early Life and Background
Maximilian Kleber was born on 29 January 1992 in Würzburg, Germany, where he spent his childhood and developed an early love for basketball. He came up through several local youth programs in the Würzburg area, playing for TG Veitshöchheim, SC Heuchelhof, and TG Würzburg. These formative club experiences helped him grow as a young forward and prepared him for the step into professional basketball.
Standing tall from an early age, Kleber’s combination of size and mobility made him a natural fit for the frontcourt. He eventually joined the senior program of s.Oliver Baskets, the Basketball Bundesliga team based in his hometown of Würzburg. His progression through the local basketball scene laid the foundation for a long professional career that would eventually take him across Europe and into the NBA.
Path to Basketball
Kleber made his professional debut during the 2011–12 season with s.Oliver Baskets Würzburg in Germany’s top-flight Basketball Bundesliga. In his first year, he served as a role player and averaged about 7 minutes per game. The following season, however, he grew into an important contributor, posting averages of 9.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game as he expanded his responsibilities on both ends of the floor.
In 2012, Kleber declared for the NBA draft but later withdrew his name from consideration. He became automatically eligible for the 2014 NBA draft but went unselected. Rather than give up on his NBA dream, Kleber chose to continue his development in Europe, signing with Spanish club Obradoiro CAB in the 2014 off-season. That decision to refine his game in top European leagues ultimately helped him become a more complete player before his eventual NBA breakthrough.
Maxi Kleber Career
Early Career (2011–2014)
Kleber opened his professional career with s.Oliver Baskets Würzburg of the Basketball Bundesliga, where he steadily increased his role across three seasons. His growth from a part-time reserve into a starting-caliber frontcourt player caught the attention of clubs across Europe. During this time, he also briefly declared for the 2012 NBA draft before pulling his name out.
He became auto-eligible for the 2014 NBA draft but was not selected by any team. Instead, Kleber opted to sign a two-year deal with Obradoiro CAB of Spain’s Liga ACB. In the 2014–15 ACB season, he was named MVP of round 25 after a 36-point performance against Fuenlabrada, finishing the year with 33 league appearances and averages of 11.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
Bayern Munich Breakthrough (2015–2017)
On 1 July 2015, Kleber returned to Germany and signed a two-year deal with Bayern Munich, the country’s most decorated basketball club. In his first Bundesliga season with Bayern, he appeared in 24 games, including 17 starts, and averaged 8.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. His combination of shooting touch and defensive versatility made him an important piece of Bayern’s rotation.
Kleber’s 2016–17 campaign was his most decorated in Europe. He started all 37 of his Bundesliga games, averaging 9.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. That season, he was named German League Most Effective Player, selected to the All-German League Second Team, and chosen as a German League All-Star for the second time. He was also named to the All-EuroCup Second Team after leading Bayern on a deep European run.
Dallas Mavericks Era (2017–2025)
On 13 July 2017, Kleber signed with the Dallas Mavericks, beginning a long and successful NBA career. He made his NBA debut on 21 October 2017 against the Houston Rockets and gradually developed from an end-of-bench piece into a key rotation player. Across his first three seasons, his points, rebounds, assists, and blocks per game all trended upward, and the Mavericks rewarded his growth with a new contract on 10 July 2019.
The 2019–20 season was Kleber’s breakout year. On 21 February 2020, he scored a career-high 26 points in a 122–106 win over the Orlando Magic, and he finished the year averaging a career-best 9.1 points per game. He led the NBA with 74 games played and ranked 19th in the league in blocks per game. That year, he also appeared in his first playoffs, drawing the difficult assignment of guarding Kawhi Leonard against the Los Angeles Clippers.
In 2021–22, Kleber made one of the most memorable playoff shots in Mavericks history. On 18 April 2022, during Game 2 of the first round, he scored 25 points and hit eight three-pointers in a 110–104 win over the Utah Jazz. The Mavericks signed him to a four-year contract extension that offseason. On 17 March 2023, Kleber drilled a buzzer-beating, game-winning three-pointer in a 111–110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. He later helped Dallas reach the 2024 NBA Finals, where the Mavericks fell to the Boston Celtics in five games.
Los Angeles Lakers Era (2025–Present)
On 2 February 2025, Kleber was traded, alongside Luka Dončić and Markieff Morris, to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Max Christie, Anthony Davis, and a 2029 first-round pick, in a deal that also involved the Utah Jazz. The trade sent shockwaves through the NBA and gave Kleber a fresh start on a championship contender. He joined a star-studded Lakers roster looking to make another deep playoff run.
Kleber made his Lakers playoff debut on 30 April 2025, scoring two points in a 103–96 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves that eliminated Los Angeles from the first round. On 21 March 2026, the Lakers assigned him to the South Bay Lakers for practice after he missed six straight games with a back strain, signaling a careful recovery process. His role with Los Angeles continues to evolve as the team builds around its new core.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kleber is best known for his versatility as a stretch big who can shoot from beyond the arc, protect the rim, and switch defensively across multiple positions. His length and mobility allow him to guard quicker forwards on the perimeter, while his shooting touch spaces the floor for star guards. He is also valued for his basketball IQ, unselfish passing, and willingness to take on the toughest defensive assignments in big moments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Kleber’s signature moments, his eight-three-pointer explosion against the Utah Jazz in the 2022 playoffs and his buzzer-beating three-pointer against the Lakers in March 2023 stand out as career-defining performances. He also helped Dallas reach the 2024 NBA Finals and was part of the historic February 2025 trade that reshaped both the Mavericks and the Lakers. Across Europe, his 2017 German League Most Effective Player award remains a defining honor of his pre-NBA years.
Maxi Kleber Career Highlights
Maximilian Kleber’s career features a balanced mix of European trophies and meaningful NBA contributions. From his German League Most Effective Player award in 2017 to his run to the 2024 NBA Finals with Dallas, he has consistently delivered in high-pressure environments. Below is a look at his verified achievements across leagues and competitions.
NBA Highlights
Kleber spent eight seasons with the Dallas Mavericks from 2017 to 2025, growing from a reserve into a respected stretch big and one of the league’s top shot-blockers at his position. He helped Dallas reach the 2024 NBA Finals, where the Mavericks lost to the Boston Celtics in five games. His playoff resume also includes the 2022 series against Utah, where he erupted for 25 points and eight three-pointers in a single game.
Other Wins and Performances
Before reaching the NBA, Kleber captured the 2014 Galician Cup with Obradoiro CAB in Spain and was named MVP of ACB round 25 the same season. He also won a pair of German League All-Star selections in 2015 and 2017, was named to the All-German League Second Team in 2017, and earned All-EuroCup Second Team honors that same year. He has also represented the senior German national team, including during 2014 EuroBasket qualification.
Maxi Kleber Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Kleber grew up in Würzburg, Germany, and developed his game through local youth clubs such as TG Veitshöchheim, SC Heuchelhof, and TG Würzburg. His early grounding in the Würzburg basketball community shaped his steady, team-first approach to the game. Beyond this upbringing, further verified details about his parents and siblings are not publicly confirmed in the available sources.
Personal Life
Kleber is a German national who has built his professional life around basketball across Europe and the United States. Public details about his spouse, marital status, and children are not confirmed in the available sources. He continues to focus on his recovery and his role with the Los Angeles Lakers as he works to contribute at a high level.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a dramatic turning point in Kleber’s career. After eight seasons in Dallas, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in early February 2025, joining a roster built around Luka Dončić and LeBron James. He made his Lakers playoff debut on 30 April 2025, scoring two points in a first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves that ended Los Angeles’s postseason run.
Following the playoff exit, Kleber spent time working his way back from injury. On 21 March 2026, the Lakers assigned him to the South Bay Lakers for practice after he missed six straight games with a back strain, signaling that the organization was taking a cautious approach to his recovery. His veteran presence and shooting remained valuable assets for a team with title aspirations.
Looking ahead, Kleber’s outlook in Los Angeles depends heavily on his health and his ability to carve out a consistent rotation role. With a championship-caliber core already in place, his experience from the 2024 NBA Finals and his defensive versatility position him as a key complementary piece. If he can return to full strength, he is expected to provide important floor-spacing and rim protection during the Lakers’ 2026 playoff push.
