Since getting traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, Luka Doncic hasn’t played a game for his new team. Doncic has been dealing with a left calf strain that has kept him from action since Dec. 27. Fortunately for the fans, they’ll see the five-time All-NBA star in action soon. According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, the star guard has a target date for his Lakers debut.
Stein reported on Thursday that Doncic is targeting to play his first game for the Lakers on Monday, versus the Utah Jazz. The insider also revealed that the Slovenian star has returned to 5-on-5 practice this week.
Luka Dončić is targeting Monday against Utah for his Lakers debut, @TheSteinLine has learned.
He returned to 5-on-5 play in practice this week and is said to be progressing well in his ramp up from his left calf strain on Christmas.
More NBA from me: https://t.co/IIIlAloJCf pic.twitter.com/6yLu7Q1dKz
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 6, 2025
Doncic’s calf has bothered him throughout the entire campaign. After the first 13 games, the star had to sit one game because of his calf. He played his 14th game and missed five straight games but this time, for a wrist injury.
Luka Doncic’s journey to getting traded
Over the weekend, the five-time All-Star was traded by the Dallas Mavericks to the Lakers for Anthony Davis. According to multiple reports, the Mavericks have grown frustrated over his lack of physical conditioning. In November, he was given 11 days off by the team due to an injured wrist. However, it was later revealed that the primary goal for the organization was for Doncic to shed some weight.
Reports say that the European star had ballooned to over 260 pounds and Dallas wanted him to prioritize his conditioning. Unfortunately for Doncic, general manager Nico Harrison surprisingly called Los Angeles to make a deal and acquire Davis.
Harrison believes that defense wins championships. And while Doncic is one of the best players in the world, he isn’t known to be a figure in defense. Thus, it ended his almost seven-year-long stay with the organization. The star player averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists during his tenure.
The Lakers added Mark Davis to accommodate Doncic
After losing Davis before the trade deadline, the Lakers made sure to add a big man who could accommodate Doncic’s skills. Before the deadline, Rob Pelinka traded for Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish and draft assets.
Before the front office pulled the trigger, Doncic reportedly told the team about the type of big man he wanted to play with. LA Times’ Dan Woike reported that the star guard wanted a big man who could set a proper screen and catch lobs.
“According to people familiar with the deal not authorized to speak publicly, the Lakers made the move after meeting with Doncic and speaking with him about the kind of center he prefers playing with: an athletic screener and lob threat,” Woike reported.
Rob Pelinka said he didn't have a magic wand — but he did have Dalton Knecht, a pick swap and the Lakers' last tradable 1st. And Wednesday night, he used it on another big deadline swing https://t.co/v96A6oEPiI
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) February 6, 2025
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
