The shock will probably never be gone, but it’s beginning to dissipate. Luka Doncic is a Los Angeles Laker.
The Lakers acquired the 25-year-old superstar in a surprising blockbuster trade that seemingly materialized out of nowhere just after midnight on Sunday. While the Dallas Mavericks did get 31-year-old 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis back as part of the return package, many felt like the price for Doncic, who has made five All-NBA first-teams, was incredibly low. In fact, former NBA writer and current college professor Kirk Goldsberry reported Monday that the Lakers somehow got Dallas to accept a lesser offer.
“A deal got whittled down, and I think Rob Pelinka was able to convince the Mavs that Luka is a lot of risk… His drinking, his weight problem…” Goldsberry said on “The Bill Simmons Podcast” on Monday afternoon.
Now that Doncic is officially a Laker, the next question is regarding when he’ll make his debut with the team. The Slovenian playmaker is battling a calf injury, so he’s not likely to play this week.
On Monday’s edition of NBA Today, ESPN’s Marc Spears says Doncic is eyeing next Monday or Wednesday for his first game in purple and gold.
“He’s in the facility today getting a physical,” Spears said. “Press conference tomorrow, and I’m hearing he’s targeting next week—the Lakers play at home against Utah next Monday, and on the road in Utah next Wednesday, a potential return from his calf injury.”
Spears also said that while there was “a lot of disappointment, anger, a lot of emotions,” for Doncic in the immediate aftermath of the trade, conversations with LA general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach J.J. Redick, his former teammate in Dallas, have him excited for the future.
Without Doncic, the Lakers will face their crosstown rival the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night at Intuit Dome.
Assuming Doncic does make his debut at home on Monday, the environment in the building that night will be epic.
Related: The Lakers Convinced Mavs To Accept Worse Trade Offer, per Report