Luka Doncic could make his Lakers debut on Monday, Jovan Buha of The Athletic tweets. He’s listed as questionable due to the left calf strain that has sidelined him since Christmas Day. LeBron James (left ankle soreness) is also listed as questionable.
The same tag was given to Dalton Knecht (personal), who returned to the Lakers after their trade with Charlotte was rescinded. Cam Reddish, who was also in the voided trade, is listed as out.
In anticipation that Doncic will play, ESPN will broadcast the game against the Jazz, according to ESPN PR (Twitter link).
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- The Kings added high-scoring wing Zach LaVine, center Jonas Valanciunas and young forward Jake LaRavia prior to the trade deadline. Interim coach Doug Christie is looking forward to figuring out his new rotation, he told Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee. “It’s a good problem to have,” Christie said. “I’m not complaining at all. Is it difficult? Yeah, a little bit because you’re trying to learn on the fly and that can be tough with guys trying to rind their rhythm — when do I go, plays, defense, coverages, all that stuff — but we’re not going to make excuses. The organization has done a hell of a job of getting us talent, and now it’s my job to figure out how to make it work and get us wins.”
- Valanciunas, who is in the first year of a three-year, $30.3MM contract, is glad to join a playoff race with the Kings after spending the first half of the season with the Wizards. “It feels good,” Valanciunas told Anderson. “It feels like I belong here. I’m excited to be here, excited to jump on the court in a winning situation and do some damage.”
- Bogdan Bogdanovic, acquired by the Clippers from Atlanta, is expected to make his Los Angeles debut on Wednesday, Joe Reedy of The Associated Press reports. He gives the Clippers another offensive option. “I’m good. I know probably a lot of you have been seeing a lot of stuff earlier before I got traded, some personal reasons out, but that’s part of the trade deadline,” Bogdanovic said. ”I’m ready. I’m in good shape and I’ll be ready for the next game.” The Clippers traded Terance Mann and Bones Hyland for Bogdanovic and three second-round draft picks. Bogdanovic’s contract includes a $16MM guaranteed salary for next season, followed by a 2026/27 club option.
Knecht to Knicks ——- Mitch and Kolek 2025 draft
Doesn’t come close to working salary-wise, and the Knicks need Robinson.
Why do traded players take a week to play for their new team.
They have to move, among other things.
Doncic has been injured since Dec. 25 and Bogdanovic has been out for health/personal reasons since Jan. 25. If they were healthy/available, they would’ve debuted sooner.
Welcome back knecht4…. Awkward.
That’s got to be on his, and Cam’s, minds the rest of their careers with the Lakers. Awkward indeed! They might have to trade them this Summer just to have closure.
The 17th pick in last year’s draft & the Lakers trade him? Welcome to the NBA Dalton! Basketball is a business, except for the players and us fans.
Wasn’t Mann untouchable in the Harden trade.
What happened????
I understand waiting to see who gets cut or bought out. Why wouldn’t you take a long look at Bamba. Hes better than Hayes.
Lakers should weigh Luka on TV. So we can all see his real playing weight. Before his first game.
Lakers already had bamba he stinks. It’s a reason he’s been cut. Good big men are hard to fine teams just don’t let them go for nothing