The 2018 NBA Manifesto
Maxi Kleber
PF - 6’11, 220lbs - 26 years old – 1 year of experience
This was the year of the subtweet, the unanimous award selections and of the unexpected low-price signing out of the German league. Between Kleber, Daniel Theis in Boston and Darius Miller for New Orleans, plundering the Bundesliga was optimal team building strategy last summer.
Much like Theis, Kleber looks like he will be a very effective stretch four and sometime-five for a few years in the NBA. He started slowly, but after a short adjustment period while he adapted to NBA defences (and a slightly longer one offensively as he adapted to the NBA three-point line), Kleber became a key contributor and a mighty solid NBA player.
While there is nothing standout in those raw statistics, check out the defensive metrics. Kleber is an athletic hustler, a defensive nuisance on the interior, a shotblocker who makes great plays on the ball, and a pick-and-roll or pop player offensively who similarly uses his athleticism to make things happen. If he can get a little stronger so as to play the centre position on a more regular basis, and continue to adapt to the NBA three-point line (something which did trend upwards throughout the season), he will be that rare and special creature - a rim-protecting stretch five. And he should be able to defend the perimeter fairly well, too.
Kleber is older than most prospects, but he is a prospect nonetheless, and one with a valuable skill set. Not bad for the minimum salary.
Player Plan: Has an unguaranteed minimum salary for next season. Guarantee it and develop.
Read full article
PF - 6’11, 220lbs - 26 years old – 1 year of experience
This was the year of the subtweet, the unanimous award selections and of the unexpected low-price signing out of the German league. Between Kleber, Daniel Theis in Boston and Darius Miller for New Orleans, plundering the Bundesliga was optimal team building strategy last summer.
Much like Theis, Kleber looks like he will be a very effective stretch four and sometime-five for a few years in the NBA. He started slowly, but after a short adjustment period while he adapted to NBA defences (and a slightly longer one offensively as he adapted to the NBA three-point line), Kleber became a key contributor and a mighty solid NBA player.
While there is nothing standout in those raw statistics, check out the defensive metrics. Kleber is an athletic hustler, a defensive nuisance on the interior, a shotblocker who makes great plays on the ball, and a pick-and-roll or pop player offensively who similarly uses his athleticism to make things happen. If he can get a little stronger so as to play the centre position on a more regular basis, and continue to adapt to the NBA three-point line (something which did trend upwards throughout the season), he will be that rare and special creature - a rim-protecting stretch five. And he should be able to defend the perimeter fairly well, too.
Kleber is older than most prospects, but he is a prospect nonetheless, and one with a valuable skill set. Not bad for the minimum salary.
Player Plan: Has an unguaranteed minimum salary for next season. Guarantee it and develop.