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5 Lakers Still on Thin Ice After Surviving the Trade Deadline

By Cem Yolbulan

Jan 30, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (R) reacts on the bench after a basket by Lakers guard Bronny James (not pictured) against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Jan 30, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (R) reacts on the bench after a basket by Lakers guard Bronny James (not pictured) against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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Following the blockbuster Luka Doncic move, the Los Angeles Lakers added talented big man Mark Williams via a trade with the Charlotte Hornets. The young center fills a massive hole in the Lakers' starting lineup as a pick-and-roll partner for Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

While the Lakers are obviously the team that improved the most at the deadline, a few of their players survived this week unexpectedly. While some Lakers fans were hoping for another frontcourt addition to bolster the defensive side of the ball, the front office decided to retain the rest of the roster other than Anthony Davis, Dalton Knecht, Max Christie, and Cam Reddish.

This leaves some Lakers players on thin ice going forward. If they don't prove their worth in the final stretch of the season, the following Lakers will likely be gone in the offseason.

Maxi Kleber

The addition of Maxi Kleber has understandably gone under the radar in the Luka Doncic trade. After eight seasons in Dallas, Kleber now joins the Lakers as a frontcourt depth option. The 33-year-old has been dealing with injuries over the last couple of years, not being able to play more than 43 games in any of the last three seasons.

Kleber is currently out with a right foot injury and will be re-evaluated in April, per The Athletic's Jovan Buha. That means that he will almost certainly miss the rest of the regular season and, potentially, the playoffs.

When he plays, Kleber is a competent veteran. He is a fine shooter who is able to space the floor. Defensively, he can guard multiple positions and hold his own against most players. He is a step slower as he approaches his mid-30s, but he is not a bad option as the fourth big in the rotation.

The Lakers, however, may not see him in action this season unless they make a deep postseason run. Kleber is under contract for another season after this one. His expiring contract worth $11 million next season may be a good way for the Lakers to make an offseason move to upgrade the roster. There is a serious chance that he will be traded again before he ever suits up for the Lakers.

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