The Dallas Mavericks remain one of the hottest teams in the NBA after their win over the Houston Rockets on Sunday afternoon, and are currently the No. 5 seed with a 48-30 record. The Mavs are two wins away from a 50-win season, and the atmosphere in Dallas is perfect.
Kyrie Irving continues to be the leader the Mavs need, and Luka Doncic is performing at an MVP level. The team's defense is also elite, and the Mavs are showing signs of being a true championship contender.
The Mavericks have been great this season, but there are always ways they can improve the roster around Doncic and Irving.
The trade market is an easy way to do that, and the Mavs are always active there.
Dallas has made two trades this season alone, and multiple trades last summer offseason. Nico Harrison is always trying to build the best roster possible, and this summer will be no exception.
There are a lot of basketball games this season, but here are five unpopular trades the Mavericks could consider this summer.
After the 2022 NBA Playoffs, the Dallas Mavericks have given Maxi Kleber a three-year, $33 million contract extension. Kleber averaged 8.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 43.6 percent from downtown. He was an integral part of the Mavs' run in the playoffs and was worth every penny he got in extra time.
While that extension looked great at the time, this contract isn't the best for this summer. Kleber has torn his hamstring and dislocated his toe over the past two seasons, and his play has gradually declined.
This season in Dallas, Kleber is averaging 4.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 40.7 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from downtown. Statistically speaking, this season was the worst of his career. He's still a fan favorite in Dallas, but they may be moving on from him.
A young team in need of a veteran presence could be interested in trading Kleber, and the Mavs should consider moving him as a younger option to get him off his contract. Kleber still has value because he can play the small-ball No. 5, but having Daniel Gafford, Derek Lively II, and P.J. Washington available as players who can play the No. 5 makes trading Kleber less of a blow. It will be.
The Mavs are always looking to improve their contract situation, and this move could do just that. His contract with Kleber runs until the summer of 2026.
