JULY 10: The Mavericks have officially re-signed Kleber, per a team release.
The fact that Dallas has made this deal official signals that the club plans to function as an over-the-cap team, forfeiting potential cap room. That will allow Dallas to keep a trade exception worth about $12MM for a possible move down the road, as we detailed in a story earlier today.
JULY 1: The Mavericks have agreed to terms with restricted free agent forward Maxi Kleber, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times, who reports (via Twitter) that Kleber will sign a four-year, $35MM deal.
Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com (Twitter links) pegs the value at $33MM, but says it can be worth up to $35.9MM via incentives. The fourth year of Kleber’s new contract will be a team option, according to Stein (via Twitter).
Kleber, 27, has spent the last two seasons with the Mavericks after playing for teams in his home country of Germany for most of his professional career. In 2018/19, the 6’11” power forward was a regular part of Dallas’ rotation, averaging 6.8 PPG and 4.6 RPG with a .453/.353/.784 shooting line in 71 games (21.2 MPG).
Kleber’s raise won’t impact the Mavs’ ability to continue building their roster. Because he has a very modest cap hold of about $1.82MM, Dallas can keep that hold on its books to maximize its cap flexibility before going over the cap to sign him using his Early Bird rights.
This is the second four-year contract agreement of the day for the Mavs, who struck a similar deal with free agent guard Seth Curry.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Waste of $ tbh. Same as what the Bulls did with Felicio. Cheaper options for that small level of production.
Agreed. But I guess they’re seeing a 6-11 guy that shoots 35% from 3
Better than Fellicio with the sudden mysterious signing for doing nothing.
Kleber does a bit of everything.
who is this guy?
Don’t know much, too lazy to follow a link.
Kleber is a high energy guy – good shooter, great defender in space.
Ugh what are thy thinking
Kleber was a guy I though the Knicks should have asked for in the KP6 trade (his low cap hold could have been maintained using 2 max slots). He looked quite good as a stretch big.
Everyone moaning hasn’t seen the guy play. Mobile, tough, tenacious shot blocker, decent rebounder and a consistent shooter. He’s a good pickup.
… and the Mavs would feel weird without a 6’11” shooter from Wurzburg on the roster
This isn’t a bad signing. Not sure y fans r so quick to jump off a cliff and call every signing for role players a bad deal. Mavs need shooting around Luka. And if Porzingis is what he was pre injury then u need role players and shooting. It’s a borderline playoff team just with Luka and Porzingis. All said and done probably not until they add a third scoring option. But with the role players in place and one or two pieces away then y not get dudes u r familiar with and fit in the locker room?
I think ppl just have to accept that players are vastly overpaid in the NBA in measure with their roles. It’s nothing like the NFL and MLB. Role players can pull down $35 mil contracts.
So Maxi is worth more the Seth Curry? Way to overvalue your own players.
He is a better defender so yes.
Well I’m glad the Mavs did this as a Blazers fan. Big waste of money and one less team to worry about in the West. They could’ve put that money to wayyyy better use.
Kleber is underrated and a perfect role player, stretches the floor, blocks shots, and can play with his back to the basket… perfect backup center/ PF
You guys clearly dont watch basketball. I’ll agree that his stats arnt eye opening but he is getting paid on other things that dont show up in stats. He is getting paid on; spacing the floor as a C, high energy, contest every shot (he doesnt care if he gets dunked on, really good in pick and roll, high character and good teammate. Thats why he is getting paid. Now ask yourself why isnt melo getting paid, he puts up good stats…. stats arnt everything…