The Lakers might have a deeper roster around Luka Doncic than what everyone may think going into the 2025-26 NBA season. They acquired Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart without losing any of their players by signing the trio in free agency.
The Lakers will also benefit from German center Maxi Kleber, who is in the final season of his three-year $33,000,000 contract. Kleber joined LA with Doncic in February, but only played one playoff game. He was sidelined during the regular season and all but one of the five games the Lakers played in the playoffs, citing a right foot surgery.
Kleber was one of the trade candidates for the team because of his expiring deal, but LA never had to use him in negotiations. Now, he could be an asset as a stretch big behind Ayton, or as a complementary piece in a two-big unit at the power forward position.
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