Dallas Mavericks: 3 players who are ready for an increased role

Dallas Mavericks player ready for an increased role: 3. Maxi Kleber

Kleber’s role and playing time has increased in each of his four NBA seasons. The 29-year-old is still in his prime and ready to take on his biggest workload yet. Dallas needed Kleber in the playoffs against the LA Clippers, but an Achilles injury kept him from playing significant minutes late in the series as Dallas faltered.

Kleber is a 6’10 forward with a unique skill set. He shot a career-high 41.0 percent from 3-point range last season, and teams are forced to respect his outside shot. Kleber can defender on the perimeter and protect the rim too. He is the Mavericks' most versatile option on that end of the floor. The 29-year-old can take on Kawhi Leonard or provide a help-side block at the rim.

Kleber played 26.8 minutes per game and started 40 of his 50 contests in the 2020-2021 campaign. He is ready for more this season. Maxi Kleber is the perfect floor spacing and defensive-minded power forward to start next to Luka Doncic. He has no qualms spotting up and not commanding the ball while bringing plus defense on the other end.

The Dallas Mavericks may not have more minutes for him this season. The addition of Reggie Bullock and Sterling Brown could push Dorian Finney-Smith down to the four. It will be interesting to see how much head coach Jason Kidd uses Kristaps Porzingis as a power forward too. Maxi Kleber is ready for an increased role, but the Mavs may not be able to offer it.