Ex-Maverick Luka Doncic's debut with Lakers expected to be delayed

Mavericks fans will get at least one more game before Doncic dons the purple and gold.

Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic is introduced at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks deciding to trade Luka Doncic will likely go down as the most shocking trade in NBA history. And of all teams, they had to send him to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Doncic had been out since Christmas with a calf strain but was nearing his return before the trade. Dallas had said the hope was for him to be back before All-Star break, and that looked to be the case still once he got to Los Angeles. The reports initially were that the Lakers were targeting Saturday's game against the Indiana Pacers for Doncic to play his first game in the purple and gold, but plans have changed.

READ MORE: Cowboys star Micah Parsons 'devastated' by Mavericks trading Luka Doncic to Lakers

Feb 4, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; against the Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic watches game action against the against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Despite Saturday's Lakers game getting moved to ESPN in anticipation of his return, it looks like the goal is for Doncic to play his first game since the trade on Monday against the Utah Jazz, per Marc Stein. Lakers coach (and former Maverick) JJ Redick confirmed as much after their game on Thursday against the Warriors, although nothing has been set in stone for Saturday's game yet.

Dallas is still waiting for their biggest piece of the trade to make his debut, as Anthony Davis has been sidelined with an abdominal strain. He was listed as questionable before their game against the Boston Celtics on Thursday, but he was ruled out, and they were still able to win. The expectation is for him to make his Mavericks debut on home on Saturday against the Houston Rockets in front of what could be a rowdy crowd still upset from trading Doncic away.

Recapping the Mavericks' Trade Deadline

Mavericks Receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, Caleb Martin, 2029 Lakers First-Round Pick, 2030 Second-Round Pick (team unclarified as of now)

Lakers Receive: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris

Utah Jazz Receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Mavericks Second-Round Pick, 2025 Clippers Second-Round Pick

Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Quentin Grimes, 2025 76ers Second-Round Pick

READ MORE: Mavericks were reportedly 'very aggressive' trying to acquire Kevin Durant ahead of NBA trade deadline

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