Lakers Should Keep Maxi Kleber and Gabe Vincent: Analysis of Potential Value

The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a crucial decision about whether to trade two players with expiring contracts – Maxi Kleber and Gabe Vincent – or retain them to exploit their on-court value. Despite many fans calling for both players to be traded, careful analysis suggests they could bring valuable contributions to the team.

Maxi Kleber: Versatile Big Man

Performance and Historical Value

Despite experiencing the worst season of his career due to injuries in 2023-24, Kleber has historically proven himself as a versatile big man capable of playing both power forward and center positions. He has been highly valued by the Lakers as a “big man with range” and the team’s leadership believes in his potential contributions.

Unique Skill Set

Kleber brings elements that the Lakers currently lack:

• Rim protection ability and defensive switching
• Floor spacing capability with a 35.4% career three-point shooting percentage
• Tactical flexibility especially when playing center, pulling opposing big men away from the rim

Kleber’s floor spacing is particularly valuable when supporting Luka Dončić, creating space for the Slovenian star to operate.

Reliable Playoffs Performer

A crucial strength of Kleber is his excellent playoff track record, with improved statistics and playing time compared to the regular season. This demonstrates his ability to “elevate” in important games – an invaluable asset for the Lakers’ championship aspirations.

Health Concerns

However, the biggest concern with Kleber is his health issues. He hasn’t been able to play more than 50 games in four consecutive seasons, averaging only about 45 games per season. This raises questions about his reliability throughout a long campaign.

Gabe Vincent: Quality Bench Option

Recovery Season

After a difficult 2023-24 season due to knee injury that limited him to just 5 games, Vincent has shown positive recovery signs. He managed to play 72 games in the recent season, an impressive number compared to just 11 games the previous year.

Improved Performance

Despite a slow start, Vincent’s performance has gradually stabilized with averages of around 8 points and nearly 38% from three-point range. These are solid numbers for a bench player, especially when compared to his 9 points, 3 assists, and 37% three-point shooting in his final year in Miami.

Tactical Value

Vincent is rated as a good bench option with the ability to:

• Fit well with Luka Dončić and LeBron James in off-ball roles
• Handle the ball when needed
• Provide effective point-of-attack defense

However, his 2024 playoff performance wasn’t impressive with only 1.4 points average in 5 games.

Arguments for Keeping Both

Unique Skills

Both Kleber and Vincent bring unique skill sets that the Lakers currently lack. Specifically, Kleber provides floor spacing from the big man position, while Vincent is a reliable bench option with scoring and defensive capabilities.

Hidden Value

Rather than rushing to trade, the Lakers could exploit the hidden on-court value from both players, especially if there are no suitable trades or free agent upgrades available.

Trading Philosophy

Most importantly, trading decisions should only be made if it’s the “right trade” rather than just to clear contracts. Trading merely to “clean house” could cause the Lakers to lose talents who could contribute positively.

Although both Maxi Kleber and Gabe Vincent have certain limitations, they still possess valuable skills and experience for the Los Angeles Lakers. Rather than rushing to trade, the team should carefully consider utilizing their potential, especially given that the Lakers need stability and roster depth to compete for a championship.