Maxi

Kleber

Injured during the first half of Sunday’s win over the Jazz, Ayton will not play on Tuesday. Jaxson Hayes should enter the starting lineup, with Maxi Kleber sliding into the backup center role. With only three games on Tuesday’s schedule, Hayes is worth the risk in deeper leagues.

Ayton suffered a knee contusion during the first half of Sunday’s game and was not on the floor to begin the third quarter. Just before the start of the fourth, the Lakers announced that he would not return. Jaxson Hayes started the third quarter, with Maxi Kleber entering the rotation when he needed a break. That will likely be the rotation if Ayton can’t play in Tuesday’s game against the Clippers.

Kleber will be available for the first time this season, and it will be interesting to see how Lakers coach JJ Redick uses him. However, it is unlikely that he plays enough, or produces enough, to warrant a roster spot in most formats.

Kleber has yet to appear in a game this season, but that may change on Saturday. However, if the veteran forward is available to play, he’s unlikely to get the minutes needed to impact fantasy basketball. Leave Kleber on the waiver wire.

Kleber remains out for another game due to an abdominal muscle strain. He’s unlikely to impact fantasy basketball once available, so there’s no need to stash Kleber in an IL+ slot.

Kleber will have to wait at least one more game before making his season debut. He was listed as questionable for the first time this season, so his return could be close, though it is unlikely that he plays a significant role.

Kleber has yet to suit up this season, but he could be available for the Lakers on the second night of a back-to-back. There would be extra minutes available for Kleber if he suits up, but he likely won’t play enough to make a fantasy impact.

Kleber, who was initially listed as questionable for the season opener, will not miss at least the first eight games of the year and could certainly be sidelined longer. Part of the trade that brought Luka Doncic to Los Angeles, Kleber played five minutes in the playoffs last year and 10 minutes during a preseason game last week. That’s been the extent of his availability for the Lakers. His absence should lead to a few extra minutes for Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia.

Dealing with an abdominal muscle strain, Kleber is questionable for Tuesday’s season opener. He’s yet to make his Lakers debut, as the veteran forward was injured when included in the Luka Dončić trade, and Kleber did not play at all during the preseason. Even if he’s available Tuesday night, Kleber is unlikely to get the minutes needed to impact fantasy basketball due to the amount of time missed.

Kleber has been sidelined since before he was traded to the Lakers as part of the Luka Doncic deal, and this will be the first time he is available to suit up for Los Angeles. In a win-or-go-home game for them, it’s unclear how much head coach JJ Redick will lean on a new player that hasn’t played in three months.