LA’s unexpected leader emerges amid a changing role

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers have battled a wave of injury problems through the first few months of the regular season, resulting in changing roles for some of the players on the list. One of those players this season was a veteran backup big man Maki glue who stepped into the role of leader regardless of what his role was on the field.

Throughout this season, Maxi Kleber’s playing time has fluctuated with the Lakers, but he has maintained his presence as a reliable leader, especially amid the team’s recent struggles.

“We all have a responsibility to lead. It’s a team sport, so everyone has a stake in it,” Kleber said during a recent Lakers game. “Obviously everybody’s not going to get the same snaps, everybody’s not going to get the same minutes or whatever. Everybody has to know your role and you’ve got to be the best.”

“You want to support the team any way you can. And for me, it’s just staying ready, playing hard, making simple plays in the right spot, setting screens, all that stuff,” Kleber continued. “When it comes to being a teammate, you just want to make sure you cheer your teammates on. When you see something, you tell them, you just support each other.”

Kleber was originally acquired by the Lakers as part of the emergency Luka Doncic trade with the Dallas Mavericks. He did not appear in a single regular season game as he recovered from a foot injury. Kleber’s debut in the 2025-26 season has been delayed due to a quadriceps injury and an oblique joint injury.

Despite multiple setbacks, Kleber has emerged as a key backup at times amid the team’s injuries. He played a a key role in the Lakers’ road win against the Utah Jazz November 23. Kleber came up with a key possession late in the fourth quarter, then made the game-winning defensive play with a good fight on Keionte George’s game-winning 3-point attempt.

This season, Kleber has appeared in 16 games with only about 12 minutes per game. He averaged 1.8 points and 1.7 rebounds, but Lakers head coach JJ Redick trusts him because of his defensive ability and surprising toughness. There have been several games this season when Kleber has had stand up for your teammates after the physical game.

With the Lakers coming off a tough stretch where they’ve lost four of their last five games, Kleber explained what it takes to get back on track.

“The best way to deal with a situation like that is to go back to the basics. Stick to the habits you’ve created as a team, working on the simple things,” Kleber said. “Obviously there’s going to be ups and downs, that’s just part of the sport. But we just have to make sure we get back in line with the basics. It’s a game of effort, it’s playing together and just having each other’s backs.”