Dallas Basketball

Maxi Kleber is Mavs’ Defensive Anchor: Trade Upgrade Coming?

With a crucial offseason rapidly approaching for the Mavericks to put a contending roster around Luka Doncic, DB.com analyzes Maxi Kleber's future in Dallas.

Michael Mulford

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The Dallas Mavericks were one of the worst defensive teams in the league this season, finishing 25th in defensive rating. Although Dallas defense was lacking, especially when it comes to their frontcourt, versatile big man Maxi Kleber is able to make an impact when he’s healthy.

Kleber's sixth season with the Mavericks was a disappointing one which was significantly hindered by injury — a hamstring tear, which led to missing 35 consecutive games from December to February. In 31 games, Kleber averaged 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds on 35 percent shooting from 3-point range in 25 minutes per game. The highlight of his season was when he downed the Los Angeles Lakers at the buzzer in mid-March after being in an offensive funk up to that point.

The importance of Kleber's defense for Dallas following the trade of Dorian Finney-Smith in the Kyrie Irving deal put a lot on his shoulders, especially coming off his lengthy hamstring injury. It left the Mavericks' defensive unit looking for answers it never was able to find. Given that Kleber is 31 years old, what does his future in Dallas look like?

Kleber has three years, $33 million dollars remaining on the four-year extension that he signed in September. Though he didn't look the same following his return from the hamstring tear, the six-year veteran could certainly still play a key role for a contender next season. Could his contract be shopped this offseason? 

Dallas' decision on whether to shop Kleber or not rests on what their options are as for an upgrade at center. And with the departures of Christian Wood and Dwight Powell being possible this summer, the need for frontcourt help could be even greater than it already is.

If the right deal is out there for a new, potentially younger defensive anchor — like say, Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner — the future of Kleber in Dallas could be in jeopardy. There’s a chance Kleber could have made his last 3-point phone call as a Maverick.

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Michael Mulford
MICHAEL MULFORD

Michael Mulford is a writer/editor for Dallas Basketball, where he extensively covers the Dallas Mavericks. He also covers the Chicago Bulls as the Managing Editor for Bulls Wire of USA Today Sports Media Group. Mulford grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and graduated from the University of North Texas in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Event, and Sports Management. He began his pursuit of sports writing in 2017 with Dallas Sports Fanatic, where he covered the Mavericks’ G League affiliate, Texas Legends. He then became the Managing Editor of Dallas Sports Fanatic just one year later and has covered the Mavericks as a credentialed media member since 2018, including covering numerous playoff games between 2021-22 and covering the team at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas in 2019. In his time covering the Mavericks, Mulford has conducted numerous interviews for exclusive stories including with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, former Maverick and current VP of Basketball Ops Michael Finley, former Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson, and more. You can follow and interact with Mulford on Twitter at @TheMulf.

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