If the Los Angeles Lakers pursue certain players with Maxi Kleber’s deal, they may make another move before the trade deadline.
After dominating the news for the past week, the Los Angeles Lakers may make another move before the 2025 NBA trade deadline ends. Before they completed another big deal for center Mark Williams to assemble a competitive starting five, the shockwaves from their historic acquisition of Luka Doncic on Saturday were only beginning to subside.
Following their purchase of Williams, Jovan Buha disclosed that the Lakers are still seeking minor enhancements. The roster’s disposable players are largely on minimum contracts, so they don’t have many options for obtaining another improvement. Maxi Kleber, who was acquired recently as part of the Doncic deal, is an exception to this rule.
The Lakers could utilize the $11 million that Kleber is earning this season to hire a real rotational player. Although Kleber is a recognized veteran who can still play backup four or five, he will be absent for the next two months due to a foot ailment. Kleber and their only other second-round pick might therefore be used by the Lakers to acquire a possible improvement.
Boucher, Chris
Before the trade deadline, the Toronto Raptors have already taken a significant step. Since Toronto has committed to losing this season, many see their acquisition of Brandon Ingram, a forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, yesterday night as an investment for the upcoming campaign. Getting a large like Kleber now may be helpful because the squad wants to win after the following season.
In order to acquire another second-round selection, they can trade Chris Boucher, whose contract is about to expire and who has the same pay as Kleber. Despite his season-long average of 10.5 points and 4.3 rebounds, Boucher is anticipated to be traded this summer.
Kleber’s contract ends at the conclusion of 2025–2026, therefore the Raptors might acquire him immediately as a valuable bench option for the upcoming campaign. He may play with Jakob Poeltl or be a fantastic small-ball five behind him. Kleber might be traded for future assets next
season if the Raptors aren’t interested.
Mann Terance
Terance Mann of the Los Angeles Clippers should be the first person the Lakers look at if they are actively seeking improvements on the margin. With an average of just 6.0 points in 19.8 minutes per game this season, Mann has lost his spot in the Clippers’ rotation.
The two-way guard, who can play a variety of positions, has a long-term deal that ends in 2028, which may cause the Clippers problems in the future.
Because Maxi’s contract expires before Mann’s, the Clippers are motivated to make this trade for Kleber. In the playoffs, Maxey may even be useful as a backup big option in addition to Drew Eubanks, who they recently acquired. He would be a perfect match behind Ivica Zubac because of his versatility and ability to spread the floor.
Mann, meanwhile, would provide defensive depth behind Doncic and Reaves, improving the Lakers’ lackluster guard depth. He will need to resolve his long-standing conflict with Doncic, but if their winning objectives coincide on the Lakers, the two should have little trouble doing so.
Thybulle Matisse
Over the course of a few seasons, Matisse Thybulle went from being selected to the All-Defensive team to hardly seeing rotational minutes on a Portland Trail Blazers club that was rebuilding. Since the 76ers moved him in 2022, Thybulle hasn’t been able to showcase his amazing defensive skill set on a winning club. He is still looking for a chance from a legitimate contender who will appreciate his abilities.
This season, he hasn’t played. Although Thybulle is a very valuable defensive wing, his lackluster attacking performance has prevented any team from attempting to trade for him for a few seasons. With Doncic, Reaves, and LeBron already producing offensively, the Lakers would benefit from a defense-oriented signing like Thybulle.
Other than using Kleber as a veteran on their bench, the Blazers won’t be able to do much with him. Although it probably guarantees Kleber won’t play another minute this season, they could try to acquire assets for him next summer.
Larry Nance Jr.
The Lakers might try to sign Larry Nance Jr., who is playing just 19.1 minutes a game this season and averaging 9.5 points and 4.5 rebounds for the Atlanta Hawks, as a way to bring a former player back to the team.
For their forwards and big men, the squad is overcrowded, and 32-year-old Nance is finding it difficult to get a spot.
Nance Jr. is capable of playing as a five or a four. Despite his lack of conversion skills, he is a good defender who can transition into the perimeter and isn’t scared to attempt open shots. He would be a fantastic low-cost frontcourt addition, strengthening the Lakers and providing Doncic with another lob threat to target.
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