Latest news with #MaxiKleber
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Trade proposal gives Lakers an ideal center at a relatively low price
In terms of personnel moves, the Los Angeles Lakers' first task this offseason is to obtain a starting-caliber center who is defensive-minded. Jaxson Hayes, their only true center on a standard contract, has played well at times, but he simply won't cut it as someone they can depend on to play a significant number of minutes. One player who could be a target for them is Nic Claxton, a relatively young and athletic center who plays for the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets are going nowhere, and therefore, perhaps they could be persuaded to part with him if the price is right. Advertisement Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints proposed a three-team trade also involving the Detroit Pistons that would send Claxton to Los Angeles. The only players L.A. would give up in this trade are forward Rui Hachimura and big man Maxi Kleber, and it would also give up a 2031 first-round draft pick and the right to swap picks in 2028. Via ClutchPoints: "Out of all the needs the Lakers have entering the offseason, finding a sustainable, long-term option at the center position is vital," Siegel wrote. "Nic Claxton was on Los Angeles' list of potential trade targets this season, and it is expected that they will once again inquire about the 26-year-old's availability with the Brooklyn Nets. "... Known for his rim-running abilities and success as a lob threat in pick-and-roll sets, Claxton would be the perfect center to pair with [Luka] Doncic moving forward. The Lakers need an athletic big who is a double-double threat and can protect the rim on defense. Claxton is the full package, and his offensive versatility could be unlocked by Doncic in a similar way to what he did with Dereck Lively II in Dallas." Kleber only played spot minutes in the Lakers' final game of the playoffs after he was thrown into the trade for Doncic due to a foot injury. He's going into the final year of a contract that will pay him $11 million next season. Meanwhile, while Hachimura is a very skilled player on offense, he often seems nearly invisible for long stretches on the Lakers, and he, too, is going into the last season of his contract. "Whether or not the Lakers could pull off a trade for Claxton is the big question since they don't have many draft picks at their disposal," Siegel continued. "Los Angeles will also enter the offseason with over $190 million on the books for the 2025-26 season. The easy piece to be moved is Maxi Kleber, who the Lakers got in the Doncic trade, and then [general manager Rob] Pelinka would need to make a decision on Rui Hachimura. "Although he has played well since coming to the Lakers during the 2022-23 season, Hachimura's expiring $18.2 million contract would be vital to pulling off a trade for Claxton." Advertisement Claxton just turned 26 years of age, so he could be a long-term solution for the Lakers, especially since he's under contract for three more seasons. He's a lob threat and a strong finisher at the rim, but he's also a legitimate shot-blocker and a good rebounder. Doncic has a history of thriving alongside big men who provide vertical spacing, such as Lively and Daniel Gafford. Claxton's numbers dipped this season, but he still had 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 26.9 minutes a game. Perhaps playing for a Lakers team that is close to being a legitimate championship contender would spark Claxton's competitive fuel and cause his production to increase a bit. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Trade proposal gives Lakers an ideal center at a relatively low price
USA Today
01-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Lakers vs Timberwolves Game 5: Live updates and highlights
Lakers vs Timberwolves Game 5: Live updates and highlights The Los Angeles Lakers need to win or go home on Wednesday in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The scene shifts to Arena, but the momentum remains with the young and ravenous Timberwolves. The Timberwolves were able to outlast Los Angeles in both of the last two games to take a three-games-to-one series lead. Meanwhile, L.A. faltered down the stretch, both offensively and in terms of decision-making. It made some key miscues in crunch time of both games, and while there was some questionable officiating, it only has itself to blame for losing both contests. If the Lakers manage to win on Wednesday, Game 6 will be back at Target Center on Friday. Check back here for the latest updates and highlights from Wednesday's game. What channel is Lakers vs Timberwolves game on today? Time, TV schedule TV Channel: TNT, Spectrum SportsNet Start time: 7 p.m. Pacific time Where to watch Lakers vs Timberwolves on livestream Watch Lakers vs Timberwolves live on SlingTV Lakers vs Timberwolves injury updates: Timberwolves: Rob Dillingham (right ankle sprain) is out. Lakers: Maxi Kleber (right foot surgery recovery) is questionable.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers vs Timberwolves Game 2: Live updates and highlights
The Los Angeles Lakers will look to even their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves when Game 2 of the matchup takes place on Tuesday at Arena. Los Angeles lost Game 1 by a final score of 117-95 and got beaten pretty badly in several categories. Perhaps its worst deficiency came on the boards, where it gave up 11 offensive rebounds, which led to 23 second-chance points. The team also has a lot of work to do on the offensive end after it shot a very poor 39.8% in Game 1 and only had one player reach the 20-point mark. Advertisement Check back here for the latest updates and highlights from Game 2. What channel is Lakers vs Timberwolves game on today? Time, TV schedule TV Channel: TNT/Spectrum SportsNet Start time: 7 p.m. Pacific time Where to watch Lakers vs Timberwolves on live stream Watch Lakers vs Timberwolves live on SlingTV Lakers vs Timberwolves injury updates: Timberwolves: Rob Dillingham (right ankle sprain) is out. Lakers: Maxi Kleber (right foot surgery recovery) is out. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers vs Timberwolves Game 2: Live updates and highlights
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Maxi Kleber took another step toward a possible return
Maxi Kleber, a veteran big man, was thrown into the Luka Doncic trade just over two months ago, and he has been something of an afterthought for Los Angeles Lakers fans ever since. He injured his foot in January and subsequently underwent surgery, and he hasn't appeared in a game since. He has been slowly inching toward a possible return, however. Earlier this month, he was cleared to start performing on-court activities, and now, with the start of the 2025 NBA Playoffs just days away, another positive update has arrived. Advertisement Per Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Kleber has begun on-court activity with others, according to head coach JJ Redick. Kleber, who has eight years of NBA experience, has historically been an adept defender and a decent 3-point shooter at 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds. But this season, he shot just 26.5% from 3-point range and 38.5% overall. Even if he's ready to return to game action soon, he may not get any meaningful playing time, even though the Lakers are very thin at the center position. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Maxi Kleber took another step toward a possible return
USA Today
23-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Lakers vs Timberwolves Game 2: Live updates and highlights
Lakers vs Timberwolves Game 2: Live updates and highlights The Los Angeles Lakers will look to even their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves when Game 2 of the matchup takes place on Tuesday at Arena. Los Angeles lost Game 1 by a final score of 117-95 and got beaten pretty badly in several categories. Perhaps its worst deficiency came on the boards, where it gave up 11 offensive rebounds, which led to 23 second-chance points. The team also has a lot of work to do on the offensive end after it shot a very poor 39.8% in Game 1 and only had one player reach the 20-point mark. Check back here for the latest updates and highlights from Game 2. What channel is Lakers vs Timberwolves game on today? Time, TV schedule TV Channel: TNT/Spectrum SportsNet Start time: 7 p.m. Pacific time Where to watch Lakers vs Timberwolves on live stream Watch Lakers vs Timberwolves live on SlingTV Lakers vs Timberwolves injury updates: Timberwolves: Rob Dillingham (right ankle sprain) is out. Lakers: Maxi Kleber (right foot surgery recovery) is out.
