Generally, when there is a trade in the NBA, the player or players involved in it usually suit up to play almost the next day after the deal is made official. That will not be the case for Luka Doncic, who will have to wait a few more days because of an injury.
In fact, the Slovenian has been out since December 25, when he withdrew against the Timberwolves after having played only 16 minutes of the game. Doncic was suffering from a leg injury and later tests revealed a strain in his left calf, an injury that is not serious but requires several weeks of recovery.
So many games without playing, since the injury he has missed 18 games in a row, meant that the player was automatically left out of the selection of the best teams of the season and the MVP award, not completing the minimum of 65 games in the regular season. And this absence adds many doubts to the day when he will be in action with his new team.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the player’s and team’s target was February 8. That day the Mavs were hoping to have him back for the game against Houston, a situation that is obviously not going to happen. But will he be with the Lakers?
The medical deadlines may not vary and the player could be available for that same day, February 8, when the Lakers host the Pacers at the Crypto.com Arena. A day earlier, on the 7th, they host the Warriors and three days later, on the 11th, the Jazz, a day perhaps more suitable to wait a little longer. And on April 10, the Lakers will have to visit Dallas, just a few days before the end of the regular season.
It seems that Doncic may have gained some weight during this period of inactivity and perhaps the Lakers are waiting to get the player in better shape before making his debut in his new jersey. At the time of his injury, Doncic was averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game in the league, numbers he now exports to his new destination.