It's hard to believe that the 2024-25 NBA regular season is almost done. Only six games remain in the Los Angeles Lakers' schedule as they march toward the postseason with a 46-30 record, which is good enough for the Western Conference's No. 4 seed.
The Lakers will need as much help as possible if they want to build a considerable amount of momentum before the postseason begins. Fortunately, it looks like some reinforcements are on the way to help accomplish that goal.
Lakers Injury News: Maxi Kleber to Begin On-Court Activities Before Playoffs
Maxi Kleber is one player who Lakers fans have yet to see on the court this season. The veteran forward — who was acquired during February's Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis swap — hasn't played a game since January as he continues to recover from a mid-season foot surgery.
Even though he isn't ready to return to the lineup just yet, The Athletic's Jovan Buha reports that the 6-foot-10 German has just taken a big step in his recovery process.
"Kleber has progressed to on-court activities after undergoing right foot surgery on Jan. 30," Buha wrote on Thursday night. "Kleber will continue his return-to-play process and further updates will be provided as appropriate."
Update from the Lakers: Maxi Kleber has progressed to on-court activities after undergoing right foot surgery Jan. 30.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) April 4, 2025
Kleber will continue his return-to-play process and further updates will be provided as appropriate.
With the Lakers' frontcourt lacking following the failed Mark Williams trade, a Kleber return is exactly what the team needs. Even if he isn't healed in time for the regular season's final stretch, potentially getting the experienced big man back in the lineup before the end of April could be huge for L.A.'s outlook.
Kleber, 33, is an eight-year NBA veteran who spent his entire career with the Dallas Mavericks before the pre-deadline trade. He's known for his well-rounded play at both ends of the court, having averaged 6.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.9 blocks, and .443/.354/.776 shooting splits across 440 career outings.
It'll be interesting to see how Kleber looks upon his return. He was struggling with the Mavericks before the trade, averaging career lows in points (3.0) and rebounds (2.8) while only shooting 38.5% from the field and 26.5% from deep on 18.7 minutes in 34 outings (4 starts).
At the end of the day, the Lakers have nothing to lose by adding a returning Kleber to the fold. If anything, his presence could provide a boost when you consider his close relationship with Doncic, as well as his being one of head coach JJ Redick's former teammates during their time together on the 2020-21 Mavericks.
Kleber is under contract for the 2025-26 season with an $11 million cap hit, making it important for him to be healthy and on the floor to create chemistry with his new teammates. If he successfully accomplishes that, he could play a key role in any upcoming success Los Angeles sees.
Speaking of which, the Lakers will head into the regular season's final stretch with the fourth-best 2024-25 NBA Finals odds (+1900) on FanDuel Sportsbook.