Lakers Plan For Luka Doncic Debut Revealed: Report

Ricardo Sandoval | Feb 2, 2025

Jan 22, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) looks on during a stoppage in play during the first half of the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers hope to have their newest superstar, Luka Dončić, sooner rather than later.

More Lakers: Kevin Durant Reacts to Jaw-Dropping Luka Doncic Trade

ESPN's Shams Charania said the Lakers hope and expect Dončić to be on the court for L.A. before the Feb.16 All-Star Game.

"Luka Dončić has been returning to basketball activities since that calf injury that he had, the calf strain," Charania said. "He's had multiple calf strains over the last several years. He's had two calf injuries just this year. But he has returned to practice and, from what I'm told, the goal is for him to make his Lakers debut before the All-Star break."

Dončić has missed the last month plus due to a left calf strain that he suffered on Christmas Day against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This trade came as a shock, and even that is an understatement. ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported that the reason the Mavericks wanted Dončić out was due to his condition concern.

The Mavericks and general manager Nico Harrison got tired of his antics and decided to pull the trigger with no hesitation.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reiterated MacMahon's report from Saturday on SportsCenter.

"If you have a 25-year-old, who you can get under contract for five years at $350 million who's been first-team All-NBA five times, that's typically in the history of the NBA a no-brainer situation. There's not a stress there," Windhorst explained. "What McMahon is reporting in talking to the Mavericks tonight is that they weren't sure that was a good investment. That is a stunning stunning statement. That they weren't sure getting Luka Dončić under contract for five years was a smart thing for their franchise."

The Lakers have a star long-term who is about to enter his prime.

While that is the case, the Lakers have no interior defense.

It is as clear as day that the Lakers need to make a trade, now more than ever, for a center. The Lakers are small and do not have any great defenders outside of Jarred Vanderbilt and Dorian Finney-Smith.

Things don't look good for the Lakers in the short term, but that could all change with trade as we approach Thursday's deadline.

Nonetheless, the Lakers have a superstar for now and most certainly for the future.

More Lakers: LeBron James Will Stay With Lakers Despite Trade Rumors Following Luka Doncic Deal: Report

Lakers' LeBron James Breaks Silence on Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic Trade

For the latest Los Angeles Lakers news and notes, stay glued to Lakers On SI.