Sad News: Dallas Mavericks Set To Cut Ties With Key Star After Heated Argument With Jason Kidd

Fresh from a NBA Finals appearance earlier this year, the Dallas Mavericks are keen on making a return to the championship stage. While the Boston Celtics emerged victorious, the Mavericks are out for blood this year. In the ongoing 2024-2025 season, the team is currently ranked second in the wild Western Conference with a 16-8 record.

The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly preparing to move on from veteran forward Maxi Kleber after a tumultuous start to the 2024-2025 NBA season. Sources close to the organization reveal that Kleber, a key contributor in past seasons, is on the verge of being released or traded following a heated argument with head coach Jason Kidd. The decision reflects growing frustrations with Kleber’s individual struggles and declining role on the team.

Kleber’s Declining Performance

The Mavericks are certainly rolling. However, pretty sure they could do even better had Maxi Kleber become his usual self. However, the German power forward has been a no-show this season. After battling injuries and illness, Kleber hasn’t been the same.

Kleber was pretty much a starter for the Mavericks since he joined the team. However, with the emergence of Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford, the 6-foot-10 big man slowly degraded to a smaller role off the bench. This year, the decline turned out to be worse for Kleber. He is only averaging 1.7 points and 3.0 rebounds per outing. Those numbers are an all-time low for his NBA career.

To make matters worse, his shooting has taken a huge dip. The Mavericks big man is only shooting 34.6% from the field overall and 22.2% from beyond the arc. Given that Kleber’s bread and butter on offense has been his perimeter shooting, those aren’t great signs.

The Heated Argument with Jason Kidd

Tensions reportedly boiled over during a recent team meeting, where Kleber and head coach Jason Kidd clashed over the forward’s role and performance. According to sources, Kleber expressed frustration over his reduced minutes and perceived lack of support from the coaching staff. Kidd, known for his direct and sometimes abrasive coaching style, fired back, questioning Kleber’s effort and accountability on both ends of the court.

The argument is said to have escalated, leading to a breakdown in communication between Kleber and the coaching staff. The fallout has now reached a point where the Mavericks are considering parting ways with the veteran player.

Impact on the Mavericks

It’s safe to say that the Mavericks are going all-in to win it all this year, especially after having a taste of the 2024 NBA Finals. Looking back, the team really needed all hands on deck to pull it off against the Boston Celtics. However, that didn’t exactly happen. One of the players who shied away from the bright lights of the championship stage was Kleber himself.

In the 2024 NBA Finals, Kleber only registered 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. His confidence diminished, forcing Kidd to keep him off the floor. Fast forward to today, Kleber is piecing together another underwhelming season for the Mavericks.

Fast forward to today, the Mavericks look like strong Western Conference contenders. However, anyone will agree that they are possibly still lacking in one more championship piece to the puzzle. With the team trying to maximize the window of their star-studded core, there are plenty of options for the Mavericks to upgrade their roster.

What’s Next for Maxi Kleber?

For Kleber, this development could signal a fresh start with a new team. Despite his struggles this season, his skill set as a stretch big with defensive versatility remains valuable in the modern NBA. Teams looking for veteran depth and playoff experience may see him as a low-risk addition who can thrive in the right system.

Kleber has also shown resilience throughout his career, overcoming injuries and periods of inconsistency to contribute at a high level. A change of scenery might be exactly what he needs to reignite his career.

Fan and Media Reactions

The news of Kleber’s potential departure has elicited mixed responses from Mavericks fans. While many appreciate his contributions over the years, others recognize that the team’s championship aspirations require tough decisions, including moving on from players who are no longer performing at their peak.

Media analysts have pointed to Kleber’s declining production and the team’s need for frontcourt improvement as key reasons behind the decision. However, some have criticized the handling of the situation, questioning whether the argument with Kidd could have been resolved differently.

A Difficult but Necessary Decision

Letting go of Maxi Kleber will not be an easy decision for the Mavericks, given his years of service and past contributions. However, with the team focused on maximizing its championship window, tough calls like this are sometimes necessary.

As the Mavericks prepare to move forward, both the team and Kleber will be looking for fresh opportunities to succeed. For Dallas, this is a chance to revamp their frontcourt and eliminate distractions, while for Kleber, it’s an opportunity to prove he still belongs in the NBA.