There’s optimism that Maxi Kleber will return to the Mavericks‘ lineup on Tuesday versus Indiana, league sources tell Marc Stein (Twitter link). The veteran forward/center has been sidelined since December 12 after tearing his hamstring, which required surgery.
As Callie Caplan of The Dallas Morning News tweets, Kleber participated in his second 5-on-5 practice in the past four days on Monday, which is another promising sign that he’s nearing a return.
Integrating Kleber back into the lineup will be a welcome boost, as he is one of the Mavs’ best defenders — the club ranks just 22nd in defensive rating in 2022/23 after placing seventh last season. Through 22 games (25.6 MPG), the German big man is averaging 6.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG and 1.0 BPG on .490/.369/.786 shooting.
Here’s more from Dallas:
- NBA teams were 138-0 when leading by 27-plus points in a game this season until the Mavs had an epic meltdown on Sunday against the Lakers, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPN. Head coach Jason Kidd said the team’s lack of maturity was evident after blowing the huge lead at home. “I’m not the savior here. I’m not playing,” Kidd said when asked why he used only one timeout in the second and third quarters as the lead was slipping away. “I’m watching, just like you guys. As a team, we’ve got to mature. … We’ve got to grow up — if we want to win a championship. There’s no young team that’s ever won a championship, mentally or physically.”
- The general consensus among rival executives that Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report spoke to is that Kyrie Irving is likely to re-sign with the Mavs as a free agent in the offseason. “Kyrie’s goal in pushing out of Brooklyn was to get his rights with a team willing to pay him,” one front office source told Pincus. “Dallas is where he’ll want to be.” As the executive noted, the Mavs will hold Irving’s Bird rights, giving them the ability to offer him more years and money than a rival team could.
- The Mavericks signed wing Justin Holiday after he reached a buyout agreement with Houston, and he looks like he’ll be a good fit, according to Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. “He’s a pro,” Kidd said of Holiday. “He’s been in the league. Won a championship. He’s happy to be here and he’s going to do whatever it takes to help his team win.” After rarely seeing playing time over the past couple months, the 10-year veteran is averaging 10.5 PPG, 1.5 BPG and 1.0 SPG in his first two games (25.0 MPG) with the Mavs.
- Dallas is hopeful Davis Bertans will return to practice sometime this week, tweets Townsend. Bertans has resumed on-court activities and has been making progress in his recovery. The veteran forward has been dealing with a calf strain, having last played on February 2.
Although a high energy guy, Powell looks lost on defense, as usual. Hope they let Kleber and McGee (who had some good run recently) serve as the big men at the top of the depth chart.
I get that McGee isn’t as good as previous seasons, but yesterday Kidd should’ve give him minutes. Lakers were bullying Powell and Wood all night long.
I don’t which is worse, the Mavs giving up a 27 pt lead or Ham being so blinded the first half to just not attack upfront
I just can’t see Mavs winning more than a Luka hero-esqu series then getting bounced
Does Powell have ADD? Serious Q as it would explain a lot
Powell is Canadian, we get taught that we don’t need to defend ourselves cuz Murica had it covered
Kyrie won’t be staying in Dallas. I see a sign and trade in his future. He will get his money but will end up on another team. Dallas will get something back. It’s the only way to save face after making the trade.
They just mentioned why he would stay in Dallas ! He has so much leverage over mavs they may be forced to max him for four or five years
Few other options suns maybe for ayton sign and trade , even lower odds but maybe heat for herro ! But lakers aren’t opening cap space to sign him and might end up going with dlo
If/when Kyrie gets (yet another) max contract you guys are gonna be SOOOOO SALTY lol
DAL would do well to recognize that KI will be a UFA, and understand that home teams no longer have much leverage in denying a player a S&T or in dictating its terms. If KI wants to go elsewhere, he will. In that event, DAL will almost certainly have a S&T possibility to get an asset and keep open the salary slot. If they want to play hardball, they’ll almost certainly wind up with neither.
Exactly
They have the slot and that’s about it (pending on Ki’s mind-state (that day) ofc )
I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to escape with 4 or 5 options next year instead of 1 big bag of KI
F ??$ Kyrie ……. no one should sign him.
What is the problem with McGee. Why do you pay more than minimum, to sit him. I can’t believe he can’t give you 20 mins. Of D and reb. Makes no sense to me.
Dallas plays no D. And Luka has to stop crying for a foul every time. It’s a 2way sport.