How Maxi Kleber is straddling line between trade bait and vital asset

One of the most important keys to having success in the NBA Playoffs is having good veteran leadership. Another important key is having players come off the bench and playing in big moments when it matters.

The Dallas Mavericks' roster had unexpected players come through when it mattered most on their way to the 2024 NBA Finals. However, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Derrick Jones Jr. are no longer on the Mavs. But, the Mavs acquired Quentin Grimes, Naji Marshall and Klay Thompson to the roster.

As the Mavs prepare themselves for next season, one veteran player finds himself on the line of being a tradable player or an asset that can help the Mavs.

The Mavericks are in a tough position with Maxi Kleber

Maxi Kleber had a disappointing 2023-24 season and failed to meet expectations. While battling injuries, Kleber played in 43 games and averaged 4.4 points per game at 32 years old.

Kleber improved his game at the right time during the opening round of the Playoffs against the LA Clippers when the Mavs won the series in six games. Kleber turned into a reliable player to come off the bench. Unfortunately, Kleber's ability to become more of an x-factor would go away when Kleber suffered a right shoulder injury in Game 6 of the Clippers series, and he would miss the Mavs' second-round series against the Thunder.

Kleber would return in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Timberwolves, and play in the rest of the Playoffs and Finals. When Kleber came back, he wasn't the same player. Kleber's confidence and ability to shoot the ball went down. Kleber only had one game the rest of the Playoffs where he scored more than five points.

The Mavs are in a tough position with Kleber for the 2024-25 season. Kleber's health issues over the past two seasons and his contract make him expendable.

Kleber has missed four games over the past two seasons and has two years remaining of his contract at $11 million per year.

With having a tradable contract as a veteran who is struggling to stay healthy, the Mavs could find themselves trading Kleber if he underperforms again for another season. Kleber needs to have a healthy performing season to not be a tradable player.

The German power forward will enter this season in a tough position. The Mavs will need to get a boost in Kleber's game coming off the bench or his time in Dallas could be drawing to an end.