Los Angeles Lakers big man Maxi Kleber hasn’t been viewed favorably by the team’s fan base this offseason. While a few loyal fans have shown support for him, he has primarily been perceived as a trade chip.
This hasn’t deterred the 33-year-old from working on himself. With the promise of a better performance in the upcoming season, Kleber posted a video of himself showcasing elite athleticism, providing a taste of what Lakers fans can look forward to.
Hold up…Maxi Kleber on that Luka diet too??? pic.twitter.com/UEYVRjB4cr
— LakersSpin (@LakersSpin) August 10, 2025
Given that Kleber only suited up for the Purple and Gold once, fans weren’t sure what to expect. After viewing his explosive dunk and shredded physique in this latest video, however, the fans were in awe.
With several fans sharing their reactions on social media, we check out some of the best ones from X.
“This video can’t be recent… if so, Jaxson, get ready to learn benchwarming buddy,” joked one fan.
One faithful user defended Kleber and said, “Don’t start hyping him up now after y’all wanted him traded.”
“He windmilling now?” added one fan, still in shock.
“That contract year will have players acting different,” responded another.
“Bruh, I didn’t know Kleber had bounce like this,” stated one user.
“I may be in the minority… I want to see Maxi stretch the floor,” added one fan, presenting their strategies.
Another faithful user shared, “Lakers better hold onto him.”
“He better do that s**t during the season,” joked another fan.
“Ain’t no way what?” said another surprised fan.
“I’m good with Maxi Kleber staying on the team,” stated one user, convinced of the big man’s abilities.
Although Kleber hasn’t had the opportunity to showcase the extent of his abilities with the Lakers, there’s reason to believe that he could be a valuable contributor on the team.
Given his experience of playing alongside Luka Doncic, the veteran big man already positions himself as a capable option with established chemistry with the Lakers’ superstar. His athletic ability, along with his shooting skills, have kept defenses honest, creating gaps on the floor for his teammates to exploit.
Apart from the tangible skills, Kleber is also presented as a high-IQ player, with Lakers head coach JJ Redick even raving about the big man’s intelligence. This could also be a vital aspect of ensuring his place in the rotation.
The only challenge for the 33-year-old is that he is simply a good player in a complex situation with the Lakers.
The Purple and Gold have title aspirations, and to fulfill this, the team has made necessary moves to improve its roster strength. To continue with this process, the Lakers could make upgrades by leveraging their trade assets, and Kleber happens to be one of them.
As an expiring contract worth $11.0 million, the Lakers could package Kleber along with some other pieces to acquire another key rotation player. While this may not favor the veteran, it is a move to satisfy the team’s immediate roster needs.
Regardless, it is apparent that Kleber has value. Should Los Angeles choose to retain him, they will have a solid contributor off the bench to shore up their big man rotation.
