‘Kind of insane…’ JJ Redick saw positive signs with LA Lakers star who looks like he is out of Game of Thrones – analyst

JJ Redick saw something in Maxi Kleber during the 2025 playoffs, says NBA analyst

The Lakers had serious problems at center last season. They tried to trade for Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets, but he failed his medical. Rudy Gobert dominated the Lakers on both ends in the playoffs and had 27 points and 24 rebounds to end their season in Game 5. 

They have since signed DeAndre Ayton to add some much-needed size to the team after Anthony Davis was traded to Dallas. But an NBA insider said a player who was on the team last season, Maxi Kleber, can also play a role at center next season. 

Speaking on the Lakeshow Podcast, NBA analyst Andy Kamenetzky explained, “The last evidence, like tangible evidence we saw, of JJ Redick playing any center in the playoffs was actually Maxi Kleber.

“In an elimination game, crunch time, basically needed name tags to know who his teammates were, barely practiced with them. I’m going to be honest, I thought it was kind of insane that JJ went there, but nonetheless, it’s still signs of JJ seeing something with Kleber, like to put him out there in that context.”

Kleber was one of the forgotten pieces of the Doncic trade. He was sent to the Lakers alongside the Slovenian after playing a role on the Mavericks’ 2024 Finals run. Kleber averaged 16 minutes in the Finals against the Boston Celtics, and returned from the offseason in shape and ready to contribute in LA this year. 

Maxi Kleber is ‘jacked’ ahead of the 2025-26 season

One of the stories of the summer in the NBA offseason is Doncic’s body transformation. He worked hard to lose weight over the summer, and Doncic looks better than ever for Slovenia at EuroBasket. 

But he’s not the only player from the Mavericks trade to get in shape over the summer. Kamenetzky said that Kleber has come back “jacked” ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Speaking about Kleber’s offseason, Kamenetzky said, “He is jacked and shredded. I mean he looks like somebody from 300 or Game of Thrones.”

That could be pivotal to the Lakers’ chances next season. They have the star power in Doncic and LeBron James , and defense on the perimeter with the likes of Rui Hachimura, Jared Vanderbilt and Marcus Smart. What’s missing is size and physicality inside. 

Ayton has talent, but has been criticized for a lack of intensity at the rim, which leads to him frequently being outmuscled for boards. If Kleber’s new build will allow him to box out big men for rebounds and provide presence at the rim, that’s a game-changer for Redick’s roster.