When does Luka Doncic play for Lakers? – NBC Los Angeles

Los Angeles Lakers sent shock waves throughout the NBA on Saturday night when they acquired five-time NBA All-Star Luka Dončić from Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis.

The move, which was carried out in complete silence without rumors or rumbling, stunned the most experienced NBA expert. Now that the original earthquake of the announcement has lived in crashes, and both players have joined their respective teams, it’s time to look forward to how this trade changes the course to the Lakers franchise.

For over half a decade, Laker’s future had been tied to the declining brilliance of LeBron James, arguably the biggest basketball player ever stepped on the field, and the fragile dominance of his running partner, Big Man Anthony Davis. But now it’s all changed.

25-year-old Dončić is a global superstar and is considered one of the top three players on the planet. His magician -like movements and offensive skill are creepy. He is a nocturnal triple machine, and last season led the league to score with an average of 33.9 points per day. Match. It’s easy to see why Lakers apparently crushed their present to a brighter future with Dončić in the heart.

With their best player on both offense and defense now in Dallas, Lakers, who is currently in fifth place in the Western conference, completely need to consider their philosophy completely on the move with Dončić and James now on the field together. But there’s only one problem – Dončić hasn’t played a game since Christmas and has missed the last six weeks with a lingering veal – unfortunately not even Dončić himself knows when he will be able to return to court wearing his new lakers uniform.

Before the trade announcement, reports indicated that Dončić was close to returning. On Tuesday morning, during Dončic’s initial press conference, Laker’s General Manager Rob Pelinka approached the elephant in space.

“We take it one day at a time just to make sure the calf damage is in a good and safe place,” Pelinka said. “I really want to say at this point that he is day to day. We take it one step at a time, but if (all) goes well and Luca feels good and confident, he will be in a game soon. “

The “soon” carries a tempting weight. Dončić is ready to participate in 5-to-5 exercises with Lakers Wednesday on exercise. If things are going well, the team will work with his personal training staff to map a return-to-play plan.

Given Laker’s upcoming schedule, here are a few possible options for when Dončić could debut with Purple and Gold:

Thursday, February 6 against Golden State Warriors

If everything goes well under the 5-to-5 exercises on Wednesday, it is possible that Dončić could debut the following night against Steph Curry and Warriors at TNT. However, this return would probably be far ahead of most people’s expected timeline and fall on the heels of the NBA trading deadline.

Saturday, February 8 against Indiana Pacers

This game carries a lot of weight. There were reports that Dončić targeted a return date on the 8th when he was still with Dalla’s Mavericks, and could do the same day with his new team, Lakers against Tyrese Haliburton and Pacers. This one could certainly happen, especially on a Saturday afternoon match at Crypto.com Arena.

Monday, February 10 or Wednesday, February 12 against Utah Jazz

If Lakers choose a softer runway for their latest Superstar’s start in Tinseltown, their home-and-away back-to-back matches against Utah Jazz can be the perfect place. Jazz is one of the worst teams in the NBA and would give Luka an opportunity to slowly acclimatize with his new teammates without sacrificing a place in the position. Either one of these games makes the most sense.

Wednesday, February 19 against Charlotte Hornets

Dončić was expected to return before the NBA All-Star break, but if he is still not ready by back-to-back games with jazz, it may make the most sense for Lakers to give him an extra few days of rest in the race of the 14-18. February All-Star-break and let Dončić make his debut with Purple and Gold in the team’s first match back from the break in Crypto.com Arena against Hornets.

For Dončić, his calf has annoyed him for quite a long time, and this time patience has been key.

“For the first time, I took my time (to) to heal 100%,” Doncic said of his return. “Other times, I think I would just return to the right to play basketball and I really would (not) be healthy 100%. This time I just took my time, which was the normal time to get back to 100%. “

What will Lakers look like with Dončič on the field?

A pairing of Dončić and LeBron James is the kind of basketball dream that belongs in video games, not real life. The pick-and-roll options alone are endless.

Lakers’ head coach, JJ Redick, Dončić’s former teammate, is probably already diagraming ways of weaponing two of the most cerebral offensive minds in the game.

Backcourt will almost certainly contain Dončić with Austin Reaves, with the two divisional ball handling tasks. Since trading in d’Angelo Russell in December, Lakers has largely operated without a traditional Point Guard that is dependent on James and Reaves to initiate offense. That will change now that Dončić thrives on the ball in his hands.

Unlike some speculation, this is not a problem for James. In fact, it’s a relief. The 40-year-old legend has long expressed a desire to play off-ball more so he can maintain energy and choose his spots. Dončic’s arrival gives this opportunity, and if the two can quickly develop chemistry, Lakers’ violation can be a nightmare for conflicting defense.

On the defensive side of the ball, however, things become difficult. Lakers’ defense got a significant hit when they traded Davis to acquire Dončić. Without their anchor in the paint, they have to become creative to avoid becoming a team that simply tries to outsscore opponents every night.

With less than 48 hours before the NBA trading deadline, Pelinka is still trying to acquire a defensive mind center, which is also a lob threat to solidify his new list.

“We know we have a need for a big one,” Pelinka said at the press conference. “Right now, leading into the last two or three days of the trade deadline, it is very dry. There just isn’t much available. I would say, as for a big step for this position, it is probably more realistic that it would be something that comes in high season. But we perform the task that is ahead of us. We’ll find a way. “

Lakers don’t have much time to find out. The NBA trading deadline will be closed at noon Pacific Time on Thursday, February 6, and at that time Lakers will only have 34 games back in the season.

If they are able to acquire a center before then and Dončić will soon return to court, the fully integrated lakers could be a real threat – albeit a deficient one – in the playoffs.

Currently, Lakers fans will have to wait a little longer to see how this list of shapes and to see La’s latest superstar Don the Purple and Gold, thereby signaling the beginning of a new era in Laker’s history.