Lakers forward-center Maxi Kleber has been cleared to play Friday night, marking his first regular-season appearance with Los Angeles. The 33-year-old was upgraded from questionable to available shortly before tip-off against the Hawks in Atlanta.
Kleber had been sidelined by a strained abdominal muscle. “I’m ready—just need to get back in rhythm with the guys,” he told The Orange County Register.
The Lakers acquired Kleber from Dallas in February in the trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Mavericks, but foot surgery kept him out for the rest of last year’s regular season. His only action with Los Angeles was a five-minute stint in Game 5 of the first-round playoff loss to Minnesota.
The 6-foot-10 veteran entered training camp healthy but strained a quadriceps on the second day of workouts and later suffered the abdominal injury just before opening night. A two-week reevaluation period ended with Friday’s clearance.
Kleber spent eight seasons in Dallas, appearing in 440 games with averages of 6.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 22.3 minutes. He has shot 44.3 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from three-point range for his career, though both figures dipped last season.
Los Angeles has relied on Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura as starters up front, with Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia and Jaxson Hayes supplying minutes off the bench. Kleber’s return adds depth but may not immediately alter the rotation.
The German big man, who turns 34 in January, is on an $11 million expiring contract and is eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer.
Source: Hoops Rumors
