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[Saba Sports News] Luka Doncic is still settling into life with the Los Angeles Lakers (32-20) after being traded from the Dallas Mavericks just before the NBA trade deadline.
While adjusting to a new team and city, he’s also working his way back from injury.
Doncic missed over a month and a half with a left calf strain before making his Lakers debut on Feb. 10. In his first two games, he averaged just 23.5 minutes per contest. However, that transition period is about to accelerate.
According to Mark Medina, Lakers head coach JJ Redick does not expect Doncic to have a minutes restriction moving forward—a somewhat surprising shift given earlier reports that he would be eased back into action.
Following the All-Star break, which ends for the Lakers on Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets (13-39), Doncic is expected to take on a larger offensive role.
He flashed his brilliance against the Utah Jazz but now has a chance to truly dominate at Crypto.com Arena.
With the blockbuster Doncic-Anthony Davis trade, the Lakers have outlined their long-term vision. If the 25-year-old Slovenian signs a contract extension as expected, he will be the franchise cornerstone for years to come.
That means LeBron James can eventually depart knowing the team’s future is secure. But while the long term looks bright, LA is also locked in on making a deep playoff run this season.
Before the break, the Lakers won six straight games before falling to Utah. They currently hold the fifth spot in the Western Conference and are just three games behind the second-place Memphis Grizzlies.
While defensive concerns and a lack of size could pose challenges, Doncic’s elite play has the potential to offset those weaknesses.
Through 24 games this season, he is averaging 27.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.
Now, with his minutes restriction lifted, Wednesday’s game against the Hornets at 10 p.m. ET could mark his first true takeover moment in a Lakers uniform.