5 Unpopular trades the Dallas Mavericks should explore this summer

The Dallas Mavericks remain as one of the hottest teams in the NBA after their victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday afternoon, and they are currently the No. 5 seed with a 48-30 record. The Mavs are two wins away from a 50-win season and the vibes are immaculate in Dallas.

Kyrie Irving continues to be the leader that the Mavs need and Luka Doncic is performing at an MVP level. The team's defense has also been elite, and the Mavs are showing signs that they are true contenders.

While the Mavericks have been great this season, there are always ways that they can improve the roster around Doncic and Irving.

5 Unpopular trades the Dallas Mavericks should explore this summer

The trade market is an easy way to do that, and the Mavs are always active there.

Dallas has made two trades this season alone, and they made multiple trades over the offseason last summer. Nico Harrison is always looking to build the best roster he can, and this summer will be no different.

While there is plenty of basketball to be played this season, here we look at five unpopular trades the Mavericks can consider this summer.

5. Trade Maxi Kleber for a younger option

After the 2022 NBA Playoffs, the Dallas Mavericks gave Maxi Kleber a three-year, $33 million contract extension. Kleber averaged 8.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 43.6 percent from downtown. He was an essential piece for what the Mavs did in that playoff run and he was worth every dollar of that extension.

While that extension looked great at the time, this contract is not looking the best heading into this summer. Kleber has torn his hamstring and dislocated his toe over the last two seasons, and his play has slowly been declining.

This season for Dallas, Kleber is averaging 4.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 40.7 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from downtown. Statistically speaking, this has been the worst season of his career. Although he remains a fan favorite in Dallas, it may be down to move on from him.

A young team that needs a veteran presence could be interested in trading for Kleber, and the Mavs should consider moving him for a younger option to get his contract off their books. Kleber remains valuable for his ability to play the small-ball five, but having Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and P.J. Washington as players who can play the five would lessen the blow of trading Kleber.

The Mavs are always trying to improve their contract situation, and this is a move that would do just that. Kleber is under contract until the summer of 2026.