There are some NBA players that a team will build around. We’re talking about the league’s superstars. They’re so productive that it’s worth putting players around them that compliment them.
There are other players who you build around them with. We’re talking about the league’s role players. Typically, these are players that plug a lot of holes.
They may not excel in any particular area, but they’re solid. Those portable role players are valuable on any team with star players.
Take a player like Maxi Kleber of the Dallas Mavericks. He’s not a household name. Kleber isn’t going to wow anybody with his basic counting stats. Yet, he’s a versatile player who can complement any team with star players.
Should the Mavericks send him to the New York Knicks anyway?
NBA Trade Proposal — New York Knicks Land Maxi Kleber
Dallas Mavericks Receive: C Isaiah Hartenstein
New York Knicks Receive: F/C Maxi Kleber, 2025 Second-Round Pick (TOR via DAL), 2028 Second-Round Pick (MIA via DAL)
Even having a superstar doesn’t guarantee a team’s success. Meanwhile, a team without one can end up being surprisingly competitive. This is why a team’s preseason projection doesn’t always align with reality.
Look at the Mavericks. They had a star player for the entire 2022-23 season. For the second half of the season, they had two. Dallas entered the year with Luka Doncic on the roster, and they’d acquire Kyrie Irving. Yet, they missed the playoffs anyway.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Maxi Kleber, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks Updates
Perhaps they could have used Jalen Brunson. He’d been a Maverick during the prior season, but he signed with the Knicks last summer. He and Julius Randle would lead the team to a surprisingly successful season.
Would acquiring Kleber make them even more competitive next year?
Why The New York Knicks Do This Deal
This is a win-now trade for New York. At the same time, they’re parting with the most impactful player in the trade. Hartenstein is a fringe starter. That’s why the Knicks are also netting a pair of second-rounders here.
Yet, for as talented as Hartenstein is, he’s not a great fit on this roster. As a non-shooting big man with limited mobility, he can’t play alongside Mitchell Robinson.
For New York, this is a misallocation of resources. They’ve got two starting caliber bigs who can’t share the floor. On the other hand, Kleber is a combo big who can back Robinson up while occasionally sharing the floor with him.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Maxi Kleber, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks Updates
After all, he provides some floor spacing, and to some extent, he can defend in space. Kleber is a solid utility player who will give this roster more versatility in the frontcourt.
Should the Mavericks really part with him?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do This Deal
We already called Hartenstein the best player in this deal. That’s why Dallas is interested in him. This is a win-now move for a win-now organization. In other words, it’s an open-and-shut case.
In all likelihood, Hartenstein would start on this team from day one. He’s a more versatile offensive player than Dwight Powell due to his passing chops and a better defender. Derreck Lively II has a lot of potential, but he’s young and raw.
Richaun Holmes didn’t even play in 2022-23. Hartenstein ought to win the job. So, he’s worth this cost to Dallas. Moreover, the Mavericks acquired Grant Williams this summer – he’s likely to take Kleber’s spot in the rotation anyway.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Maxi Kleber, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks Updates
The Mavericks might as well acquire a starting-caliber big man. After all, that’s the type of piece that they need around Doncic and Irving.
