Maxi Kleber Bio
Maximilian Kleber, known professionally as Maxi Kleber, is a German professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on 29 January 1992 in Würzburg, Germany, he stands 208 cm tall and plays as a forward, valued for his shooting, defense, and versatility. Kleber began his career in his hometown before spending time in Spain and returning to Germany’s top league, eventually joining the Dallas Mavericks in 2017, where he played until a high-profile 2025 trade sent him to the Lakers.
Over more than a decade as a professional, Kleber has built a reputation as a reliable stretch forward, capable of guarding multiple positions and spacing the floor from beyond the arc. His journey from a role player in the German Basketball Bundesliga to an NBA contributor and a participant in the NBA Finals reflects steady development and consistent production at every level.
Early Life and Background
Maximilian Kleber was born on 29 January 1992 in Würzburg, a city in the Bavarian region of Germany. He grew up in the local sports community and joined the youth ranks of TG Veitshöchheim, where he first developed his basketball fundamentals. As his game progressed, he moved to SC Heuchelhof and later TG Würzburg, two clubs in the Würzburg area that helped him sharpen his skills.
Kleber’s height and athleticism quickly marked him as a promising prospect in German youth basketball. His work in these developmental programs laid the foundation for his transition to senior-level competition, and by the time he finished his youth career, he had drawn attention from professional clubs in Germany’s top flight.
Path to Basketball
Kleber’s professional path began in the Basketball Bundesliga with s.Oliver Baskets, a Würzburg-based team, during the 2011–12 season. In his first year, he was a role player who averaged about seven minutes per game, learning the rigors of top-flight professional basketball. The following season, he grew into a more important contributor, averaging 9.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
In 2012, Kleber declared for the NBA draft but later removed his name from consideration, choosing to continue his development in Europe. By 2014, he had become auto-eligible for the draft but was not selected by any team. That same year, he moved abroad, signing a two-year deal with Spanish club Obradoiro CAB, where his play earned him recognition, including MVP honors for a league round after a 36-point performance against Fuenlabrada.
Maxi Kleber Career
Early Career (2011–2015)
Across his first four professional seasons, Kleber progressed from a depth player in Würzburg to a rising talent in Spain’s ACB league. With s.Oliver Baskets, he went from a limited role to a regular contributor, helping establish the groundwork for his future as a stretch forward. His averages climbed significantly in his second and third Bundesliga seasons.
His move to Obradoiro CAB in 2014 introduced him to a new style of play in one of Europe’s top domestic leagues. In 2014–15, he made 33 ACB appearances, averaging 11.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, and also won the Galician Cup that year. He returned to Germany in 2015, signing with Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich Breakthrough (2015–2017)
On 1 July 2015, Kleber signed a two-year contract with Bayern Munich, joining one of Germany’s most storied basketball programs. During the 2015–16 Bundesliga season, he played 24 games, including 17 starts, and averaged 8.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. His two-way play quickly made him a fixture in the rotation.
In 2016–17, Kleber took a major step forward, starting all 37 of his Bundesliga appearances and posting averages of 9.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. His strong play that season earned him a series of accolades, including the German League Most Effective Player award, a selection to the All-German League Second Team, and a place on the All-EuroCup Second Team. He was also named a German League All-Star for the second time, having previously received the honor in 2015.
Dallas Mavericks Era (2017–2025)
On 13 July 2017, Kleber signed with the Dallas Mavericks, beginning the most significant chapter of his career. He made his NBA debut on 21 October 2017 against the Houston Rockets and gradually worked his way from end-of-bench contributor to key rotation player. His scoring, rebounding, assist, and blocks averages rose in each of his first three seasons, reflecting his growing confidence and role within the team. The Mavericks re-signed him on 10 July 2019.
Kleber’s 2019–20 campaign was a breakthrough. He scored a career-high 26 points against the Orlando Magic on 21 February 2020, in a 122–106 victory, and finished the season 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. He appeared in his first playoffs that year, primarily tasked with guarding Kawhi Leonard against the Los Angeles Clippers. In 2020–21, he opened with strong shooting numbers, hitting 47.2 percent from three-point range in his first nine games, before missing time due to COVID-19.
Kleber’s postseason impact grew in subsequent years. On 18 April 2022, during Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs, he scored 25 points and hit eight three-pointers in a 110–104 win over the Utah Jazz, and he later signed a four-year contract extension with Dallas in the off-season. On 17 March 2023, he sank a buzzer-beating, game-winning three-pointer in a 111–110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2024, he helped Dallas reach the 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, with additional assets also moving in the deal. The transaction sent shockwaves through the league and marked a new chapter for the longtime Maverick.
Kleber made his Lakers debut on 30 April 2025 during the first round of the playoffs, scoring two points in a 103–96 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves that ended Los Angeles’s postseason run. His arrival added shooting and defensive versatility to a Lakers team looking to build around its new core.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kleber is best known as a stretch forward whose three-point shooting stretches opposing defenses and creates driving lanes for teammates. Defensively, he uses his length and mobility to guard multiple positions, including larger wings and some perimeter creators. His willingness to play off the ball, set screens, and embrace a complementary role has made him a valued system player throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Kleber’s signature moments are his 26-point career high against the Orlando Magic, his eight-three-pointer outburst against the Utah Jazz in the 2022 playoffs, and his buzzer-beating three-pointer against the Los Angeles Lakers in March 2023. Reaching the 2024 NBA Finals with Dallas and his inclusion in the landmark 2025 trade to the Lakers further defined his NBA journey.
Maxi Kleber Career Wins
Maximilian Kleber has built a strong résumé of team and individual accomplishments across European and NBA competition. His trophy case includes a Galician Cup title with Obradoiro CAB in 2014, the German League Most Effective Player award in 2017, and selections to the All-EuroCup Second Team and All-German League Second Team that same year. He is also a two-time German League All-Star (2015, 2017). In the NBA, his most notable team achievement was helping the Dallas Mavericks reach the 2024 NBA Finals.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his major individual honors, Kleber has been a consistent contributor in playoff series and international competition. He has represented the senior German national team, including during 2014 EuroBasket qualification rounds, and was named MVP of a 2014–15 ACB league round after a standout 36-point game. Although a planned appearance at the 2020 Summer Olympics was cut short by an Achilles injury, his presence in national team discussions reflects his standing in German basketball.
Maxi Kleber Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Maximilian Kleber’s parents and extended family is limited. What is well documented is his deep connection to Würzburg, where he grew up and began his professional career with s.Oliver Baskets, suggesting a strong local sporting foundation that supported his development as a young athlete.
Personal Life
Details about Kleber’s spouse, children, and personal life outside of basketball are not widely documented in public sources. He is known to be active on social media, where fans can follow updates on his career and interests.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season was a year of major transition for Maximilian Kleber. After spending the bulk of the campaign with the Dallas Mavericks, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on 2 February 2025 in a league-shaking deal that also moved Luka Dončić and Anthony Davis. Joining a Lakers team adjusting to a new core, Kleber slotted into a complementary role as a stretch forward and veteran presence.
Kleber’s regular-season minutes with Los Angeles were limited as he adapted to a new system, but he remained a steady shooter and connective defender when called upon. The Lakers secured a playoff berth, and on 30 April 2025, he made his postseason debut for the franchise, scoring two points in a 103–96 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves that ended Los Angeles’s first-round series.
Looking ahead, Kleber is expected to remain an important perimeter-shooting and defensive option for the Lakers as the team builds chemistry around its retooled roster. His combination of size, three-point shooting, and positional versatility gives Los Angeles flexibility in both starting and reserve lineups as the franchise maps out its long-term plans.