Surprising Laker named as the player L.A. is most likely to trade

The Los Angeles Lakers have a couple of viable trade assets, but they don’t have plenty of them. In order for them to address enough of their roster needs in the coming weeks, they will need at least one team to do them a favor.

In guard Gabe Vincent and big man Maxi Kleber, the Lakers have two players who are going into the final season of their contracts. Vincent will make $11.5 million and Kleber will get paid $11 million next season.

However, it is debatable whether either player will have any value on the open market. While Vincent can effectively guard backcourt players, his offense comes and goes, and his offense is limited to 3-point shooting.

Kleber, 33, has historically been a decent 3-point shooter who can play some defense and help out a bit on the boards. Dan Favale of Bleacher Report named him the player the Lakers are most likely to trade this summer.

Via Bleacher Report:

“This one comes down to the expiring contracts of Maxi Kleber ($11 million) or Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million). The latter is more appealing because he’s younger and can guard at the point of attack, which is precisely why he won’t be the first deal the Los Angeles Lakers look to include in any trade.

“… Kleber wins out as a result. The Lakers need big men, and his fully healthy profile of a tall human who moves his feet on defense and provides some offensive dynamism holds plenty of appeal. But he’s about to enter his age-34 season, is rarely healthy and is unlikely to shoulder a higher minutes workload even when he’s available.”

Kleber was sent to Los Angeles in the Luka Doncic deal back on Feb. 1. He had recently suffered a foot injury at the time that required surgery, and he had been struggling mightily prior to that injury. He ended up averaging 3.0 points in 18.7 minutes a game while shooting 38.5% from the field and 26.5% from 3-point range.

For his career, he does have averages of 6.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 22.3 minutes a game and an accuracy of 35.4% from 3-point range. Getting some value from his contract, as well as from Vincent’s contract, will be integral to L.A.’s chances of fielding a championship-caliber roster next season.