For the last few NBA seasons, Maxi Kleber has been a key part of the frontcourt rotation with the Dallas Mavericks. His skill set as a capable 3-point shooter and rim protector was a perfect fit for the scheme that head coach Jason Kidd has been deploying, centered around Luka Doncic.
When Kleber injured his hamstring in mid-December, his loss was felt. The Mavericks revamped their frontcourt rotation during the offseason but none of the players offered the kind of glue guy skill set that Kleber does as he was difficult to replace.
Luckily for the Mavericks, it doesn’t sound like they will have to find a replacement for Kleber anymore. According to Marc Stein on his Substack, he is on track to return to the lineup today against the Indiana Pacers. It would be the first time that Kleber has taken the court since December 12th against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“There is optimism in Dallas that key defender Maxi Kleber, out since mid-December with a right hamstring tear, will make his much-anticipated return to the lineup Tuesday against Indiana, league sources say.”
In the 22 games that Kleber has appeared in this season, the Mavericks have gone 13-9. He has played well, averaging 6.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game while knocking down 36.9 percent of his 3-point attempts.
His return could not be coming at a better time as the Mavericks are 32-30 and hanging onto the last spot outside of the NBA Play-In Tournament in the Western Conference. Kleber will bring some continuity and defense to the floor, something Dallas can certainly use more of.
His skill set is a perfect complement to Doncic and Kyrie Irving as a player capable of knocking down 3-pointers off their kick-out passes after they break down a defense. It would not be surprising if he is on a minute limit at the start, but he has 20 games to ramp things up before the playoffs get underway.
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