Basketball fans are obsessed with measurements. We love to know exactly how much space a player occupies on the hardwood, especially when they’re tasked with guarding the league's most elite wings. If you've ever watched a Los Angeles Lakers game and wondered exactly how tall is Maxi Kleber, you aren't alone. He has that strange, deceptive build where he looks like a wing when he’s chasing Kawhi Leonard around the perimeter, but suddenly transforms into a rim protector when a guard tries to challenge him at the cup.
Honestly, the "official" number is 6 feet, 10 inches.
In the metric world, that’s 208 centimeters. He’s a big dude. But in the NBA, height is often more about how you use it than the number on the back of a trading card. Kleber, who weighs in at about 240 pounds, has spent his career being the ultimate "Swiss Army Knife" for the Dallas Mavericks and now the Lakers.
The 6-foot-10 Reality of Maxi Kleber
For years, there was always a bit of a debate about whether Maxi was actually 6'11" or maybe even a "small" 6'10". You’ve probably seen him standing next to Dirk Nowitzki back in the day and thought, wait, is he basically the same size? Not quite. Dirk had that extra inch or two, but Maxi’s 6'10" frame is perfectly optimized for the modern game.
He’s currently 33 years old, and at this stage of his career, that height is serving a different purpose. Early on, it was about lateral quickness. Today, it’s about being a vertical wall.
Interestingly, while most sources like NBA.com and Basketball-Reference list him at 6'10", some scouting profiles from his days in the German League (s.Oliver Baskets) or with Bayern Munich would occasionally nudge him toward 6'9". This isn't uncommon. The NBA changed its measurement rules a few years back to ensure players were measured without shoes, which led to a lot of guys "shrinking" on paper. Maxi held steady.
Why the Wingspan Matters More
If we’re being real, height is just a vanity stat. The number that actually makes Maxi Kleber a nightmare for offensive players is his wingspan. Reports generally put his reach at around 6'11".
While that’s not a "freakish" wingspan for a guy who is 6'10", it’s the way he uses it. He has these quick-twitch reactions that allow him to wipe away shots on the weak side. Remember that five-block performance against Boston a few years back? He wasn't out-jumping anyone; he was just perfectly positioned.
He’s not a "ladder climber." He isn't going to jump over a center to grab a rebound. Instead, he uses that 6'10" height to wall off the paint. It’s about verticality. He stays straight up, absorbs the contact, and lets his height do the work without fouling.
The Physical Toll of Being a NBA Big Man
Being 6'10" and 240 pounds sounds great until you realize the stress it puts on your lower body. Maxi’s career has been a bit of a battle against his own frame. Just recently, in late 2025 and early 2026, he’s been dealing with a lumbar muscle strain. When you're that tall, back issues are almost an occupational hazard.
You also have to look at his history with foot injuries. Last season, he dealt with a broken right foot that required surgery. For a big man, the feet are the foundation. There’s been a lot of talk on Lakers forums and Reddit about how guys his size struggle to regain their 100% form after lower-body fractures.
- Height: 6'10" (208 cm)
- Weight: 240 lbs (109 kg)
- Wingspan: ~6'11"
- Current Team: Los Angeles Lakers (via 2025 trade from Dallas)
The trade that brought him to LA was a massive shakeup. He was basically a "throw-in" or a salary balancer in the blockbuster deal that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Since arriving, he’s been fighting for minutes behind guys like Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt.
How Height Changes His Role
In Dallas, Maxi was the "small-ball five." He was the guy who allowed Jason Kidd to run lineups that could switch everything. In Los Angeles, his 6'10" frame is being used more as a situational depth piece.
Coach Redick (or whoever is helming the bench these days) has to balance Maxi’s veteran smarts with his declining athleticism. He’s not the same guy who was switching onto elite guards in the 2022 playoffs. Now, he’s a floor spacer.
His ability to hit the three-ball—even if it’s been a bit shaky lately, hovering around 20-28% in recent stretches—is what keeps him on the court. A 6'10" player who can't shoot is a liability in 2026. A 6'10" player who can shoot is a weapon.
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Misconceptions About the "German Hammer"
People often assume that because he’s German and 6'10", he’s just "Dirk Lite." That's a lazy comparison. Maxi was never a high-volume scorer. His career high is 26 points, set back in 2020 against Orlando.
His value is in the "glue." He sets screens—Luka once mentioned him as one of the best screen setters he’s ever played with. He talks on defense. He knows where to be.
Some fans look at his stats—maybe 1.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 12 minutes of play—and think he’s "cooked." But defensive metrics often tell a different story. Even at 33, when Maxi is on the floor in a competent lineup, the defensive rating often improves. He’s a "plus-minus" darling because he doesn't make mistakes.
The Future for Maxi in LA
Right now, Maxi is in a tough spot. He’s been limited to "scraps off the bench," sometimes seeing only 10 minutes a game. There are rumors that he might even be a trade candidate before the February 2026 deadline. Teams are always looking for veteran size, and an expiring $11 million contract for a 6'10" guy who knows how to play playoff basketball is actually a decent asset.
Whether he stays a Laker or moves on, his identity remains the same: a versatile, high-IQ big who plays bigger than his 6'10" listing.
If you’re watching him and he looks a little slower than he did in 2022, just remember the mileage. Eight years in the NBA, plus a pro career in Europe before that, takes a toll on a 240-pound frame.
What you should do next:
If you're tracking Maxi's impact, stop looking at the points per game. Instead, watch the Lakers' defensive rotation when he enters the game. Check his "Defensive Box Plus/Minus" on sites like Basketball-Reference to see how he affects the team's efficiency compared to other bench bigs. Also, keep an eye on the injury reports—his back and foot health will determine if he’s even in the rotation by the time the playoffs roll around.