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Luka Doncic is officially a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, but when will he make his debut for his new team?
In late December, Doncic went down with a calf strain in what we now know to have been his final game as a member of the Dallas Mavericks. At that point, reporting indicated that the team would re-evaluate him in one month. It has now been roughly one month, so Doncic should be nearing a return.
And according to TNT’s Jared Greenberg, that is indeed the case. Greenberg reported Tuesday that Doncic and the Lakers are targeting Saturday’s game against the Indiana Pacers for Doncic’s debut with his new team. First, Doncic will participate in five-on-five at practice on Wednesday. If that goes well and no setback occurs, Doncic will be on the court in a Lakers uniform on Saturday.
After that Pacers game, the Lakers have back-to-back games against the Utah Jazz — on Feb. 10 in Los Angeles and then Feb. 12 in Salt Lake City — before the All-Star break.
The Lakers return to action on Feb. 19 against the Charlotte Hornets following the break, so if Doncic will have several opportunities against lottery opponents to continue to get his feet wet with the Lakers.
Doncic may not be the only new Laker kicking off a tenure with the team in mid-February. With Thursday’s trade deadline approaching, the Lakers are expected to be active in attempting to add to this new, Doncic-centric roster. For now, the goal will be to add a center who can replace Anthony Davis as both a primary rim protector and a lob finisher for Doncic in pick-and-roll. Another 3-and-D wing would be a welcome addition as well.
When Doncic does ultimately suit up for the Lakers, it will likely be with a very different roster than we’ve seen out of them this season. LeBron James has a no-trade clause and reportedly intends to use it to remain in Los Angeles. Basically anyone else is on the table, though, as they prepare for Doncic’s return to the floor.
