Maxi Kleber is reportedly in talks for a massive move overseas, potentially joining an Italian basketball club now owned by none other than Luka Dončić himself. Slovenian news outlet SportsKlub and Italian media are buzzing about the former Los Angeles Laker, and German international, possibly filling out the roster for BC Roma SPQR. This isn’t just a regular European transfer, it’s a full-on, “you have to be kidding me” kind of plot twist.
Luka’s Rome Empire Is Taking Shape
This whole incredible saga starts with Luka Dončić making big moves off the court. Luka Dončić and former Dallas Mavericks executive Donnie Nelson teamed up as part of an ownership group earlier this year. Their mission? They bought the Italian basketball club Vanoli Cremona, and they are not stopping there. The big plan is to move the team all the way to Rome for the 2026-27 season, rebranding it as BC Roma SPQR. They’ve already started transforming the roster, bringing in talents like Siena, Italy native Nico Mannion, who Golden State drafted 48th overall back in 2020. Now, with Kleber’s name floating around, it really feels like Luka is assembling a squad with some familiar faces. It’s a bold move for European hoops, and it’s just getting started.
From Dallas Star to Laker Struggles, and a Wild Reunion
Maxi Kleber spent his first seven-and-a-half seasons in the NBA grinding with the Dallas Mavericks. He played a key reserve role, helping them reach the Western Conference Finals in 2022 and the NBA Finals in 2024. He was clutch, providing Dallas with invaluable floor-spacing and versatile defense off the bench, averaging 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists across 483 career games. Then came February 2025, when he was traded to the Lakers as part of that shocking Dončić-Anthony Davis deal. Injuries really messed with his ability to find a consistent spot in the Lakers’ rotation, though he did help the team snag some wins last season in spot duty. Heading into free agency this summer, rumors were already swirling about him potentially heading to Europe. But for that “next stop” to be a team owned by Luka? That’s not just a rumor coming true, it’s an epic reunion that makes you pause and go, “Wait, really?”
This isn’t just another basketball player going overseas, this is a potential reunion that has “sports movie script” written all over it. Maxi Kleber, a former German international, possibly linking back up with his longtime teammate Luka Dončić, who’s now building his own team. We’ll all be watching to see if these talks turn into a done deal, because if they do, BC Roma SPQR just got a massive injection of NBA experience and a storyline that will absolutely dominate the European basketball scene. Get ready for some drama!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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