Most NBA analysts expected the Los Angeles Lakers to make some serious personnel moves this summer after acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in February but falling out of title contention after just five games in the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The likelihood that L.A. would be aggressive in the trade and/or free-agent markets this offseason only increased when the Buss family announced the sale of a majority stake of the franchise to Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter who, along with his partners, boasts some of the collectively deepest pockets in all of sports.

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Walter’s primary objectives are likely to include solidifying the front court with more size and defensive prowess, both of which proved serious issues for the Lakers against the younger and more physical Timberwolves.

That will specifically include adding a rim-protecting, rim-running lob threat for Doncic at the center position.

Yet despite the Lakers’ need for versatile size that can guard inside and out while also spreading the floor for lineups that include Doncic and LeBron James, Dan Favale of Bleacher Report on Saturday, June 21, dubbed Doncic’s former Dallas Mavericks teammate Maxi Kleber as the team’s most likely trade candidate in the coming weeks.

Kleber is a forward/center who can shoot well enough from the 3-point line that defenses must respect his range and is also a switchable big who can hold his own against some legitimate perimeter threats throughout the Western Conference.

This one comes down to the expiring contracts of Maxi Kleber ($11 million) or Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million). … Unless Austin Reaves is on the table, outgoing players are unlikely to account for much of the value in any package.

The Lakers will view most contracts as a vehicle to match money alongside draft equity and Dalton Knecht.

The Lakers need big men, and [Kleber’s] 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 is entering the final season of his three-year, $33 million contract, which should make him attractive to teams looking to get off salary ahead of the 2026 campaign.