September 12, 2026 • 3:02 PM EDT
Updated 1 hours ago
Maxi Kleber may be headed to Italy, with reports linking him to BC Roma SPQR, a team now owned by Luka Dončić and former Mavericks executive Donnie Nelson. In spring, Dončić and Nelson bought Vanoli Cremona, aiming to move the club to Rome ahead of the 2026-27 season, and their transformation of the roster hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Since the takeover, the club—which will compete as BC Roma SPQR—has brought in Siena native Nico Mannion and continues to seek players with NBA experience. Now, Maxi Kleber’s name is heating up as a reported signing. Kleber, familiar to Dončić as both a Dallas and Los Angeles teammate, is exactly the sort of experienced forward who could help ground the transition of an ambitious European project.
According to Yahoo Sports, Italian media and the Slovenian outlet SportsKlub suggest Kleber is in talks to join Dončić’s squad for its new chapter in Rome. The German forward would certainly add instant credibility and chemistry to a group with big expectations and a fresh identity.
Kleber spent seven and a half seasons with the Mavericks, playing a key reserve role both during their Western Conference Finals run in 2022 and a Finals appearance in 2024. He later joined Los Angeles as part of a headline trade involving Dončić and Anthony Davis in February 2025 but struggled to cement a regular spot in the Lakers’ lineup. Even so, Kleber contributed in stretches, helping LA pick up key wins off the bench last season.
He’s averaged 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 483 NBA games. On top of those numbers, Kleber has long been praised for his floor-spacing and flexibility on defense, the kind of traits European clubs crave for the modern game. He now enters free agency, and rumors have swirled about a European return. Seeing him land in Rome, under Dončić’s ownership, adds a twist no one saw coming.
Why Kleber to BC Roma SPQR could shake up European basketball
This isn’t just a standard move from the NBA to Europe. Kleber could anchor a team undergoing a full transformation under the direction of Dončić and Nelson. That ownership group is looking for marquee names to legitimise their project, and a player who knows Dončić’s style could instantly raise the team’s ceiling.
Key developments in the BC Roma SPQR story
- Luka Dončić and Donnie Nelson purchased Vanoli Cremona, moving the team to Rome for the 2026-27 season.
- The roster has already been revamped, including signing Nico Mannion.
- Maxi Kleber is reportedly in talks to join, per multiple European and Italian outlets.
- Kleber played with Dončić in Dallas and Los Angeles, giving the project a pre-built chemistry boost.
- Kleber averaged 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists over 483 NBA games.
- Injuries limited his impact with the Lakers, but he was effective in spot roles.
What does this mean for bettors and fans?
If Kleber joins, BC Roma SPQR will have a lineup built for both chemistry and versatility. Teams investing in NBA talent moving to European basketball tend to see a spike in odds and expectation, and if you’re eyeing futures, this is a name to watch. Kleber knows Dončić’s habits and can translate his two-way value to the EuroLeague.
Kleber’s next chapter, why it matters
- Kleber’s experience boosts BC Roma SPQR’s chances of early success in Rome.
- The Dončić ownership link ensures the club will generate global headlines—and likely more NBA imports.
- His familiarity with Dončić could fast-track offensive systems and locker room leadership.
- From a betting perspective, NBA-calibre players often start hot in EuroLeague, making Roma an intriguing thumbnail for opening weeks.
- If Kleber joins, expect an immediate line adjustment for BC Roma’s win totals and title odds if/when markets open.
- Kleber’s signing marks a shift from NBA role player to European centerpiece, meaning his statlines could climb fast.
- Keep monitoring for official roster moves; rumors like this often spark further veteran signings.
- There’s real upside for Roma if NBA chemistry translates smoothly to the Euro courts.
Will this saga really end with Kleber in Rome?
Rumors about Kleber’s European return have persisted for months, but signing for a Luka-owned powerhouse would be something nobody saw coming. If you’re betting on BC Roma SPQR’s early performance, don’t wait around—news like this tends to move the lines in a hurry and it’s only set to get more interesting if/when Kleber’s pen hits paper.
As reported by SportsKlub and Italian outlets, “According to Italian media, former German international and Dončić’s long-time teammate in Dallas and Los Angeles, Maxi Kleber, is also in talks for a possible move to Rome.” That sums it up perfectly: this is one of those rare moves that could reshape the landscape overnight.
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