Sep 29, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Maxi Kleber (14) during media day at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Lakers' JJ Redick Provides Maxi Kleber Injury Update

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Ryan Stano | Last updated Oct 4, 2025 5:00 PM ET

The Luka Doncic trade was a historic event for the Los Angeles Lakers last season. They were able to trade for one of the best players in the league, who will now be the face of the franchise for years to come.

Maxi Kleber was also part of that trade, but he was much less talked about. Kleber was injured when the trade was made. He didn't play a single regular-season game for the Lakers.

Kleber played just five minutes of one game against the Timberwolves in the playoffs last year. Now, he's dealing with another injury during training camp.

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According to Lakers coach JJ Redick, Kleber is dealing with an injury as training camp starts. Khobi Price of The Orange County Register caught up with him.

"Redick said Kleber will be sidelined for 'a few days' after suffering a 'very minor' injury in his quadriceps earlier in the week," Price wrote.

Redick also mentioned that the Lakers are not going to rush Kleber back, given his injury history over the last couple of years.

“We’re gonna be cautious with him,” Redick said of Kleber, adding, “Just like we are with all our guys right now.”

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Last season, Kleber had a foot injury that kept him from being able to help the Lakers once he was moved. His injury history is starting to get concerning, especially for a team that doesn't know what they have at the center position heading into the year.

He made his LA debut in Game 5 of the Lakers' first-round playoff defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves, playing sparingly.

The Lakers Might Not Be Able to Count on Maxi Kleber to be Part of Their Rotation

Part of the reason that Los Angeles brought backup center Jaxson Hayes back to the Lakers is that they aren't confident that they can count on Kleber to be healthy enough to contribute.

Kleber is a nice stretch-five to have on the roster, but injuries have really limited his effectiveness in the last three years. He's only played in 114 out of a possible 246 games over that span.

Last season with the Mavericks, Kleber averaged three points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He shot 38.5 percent from the field and 26.5 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.