Report: Luka Dončić Targeting Jazz Game for Lakers Debut After Mavs Trade, Injury

Luka Dončić is attempting to make his Los Angeles Lakers debut on Monday against the Utah Jazz, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

Dončić hasn't played in a game since Dec. 25 due to a calf strain.

Stein noted that Dončić is said to be "progressing well in his ramp up" from the calf issue and has returned to practice.

The Lakers acquired the superstar forward in a blockbuster three-team trade with the Dallas Mavericks and Jazz on Sunday.

Los Angeles also sent Anthony Davis and a 2029 first-round pick to Dallas as part of the deal.

It was a shocking move, as Dončić was coming off a 2023-24 campaign in which he paced the association in scoring by averaging 33.9 points per game and helped lead the Mavericks to an NBA Finals appearance.

He also finished No. 3 in 2024 MVP voting.

"You can imagine how surprised I was," Dončić said after the trade, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "I had to check if it was April 1. I didn't really believe it."

Despite suiting up in just 22 contests this season due to the calf injury, Dončić has continued to show why he's one of the NBA's best offensive players. He's recording 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game on 46.4/35.4/76.7 shooting splits.

While the change of scenery was unexpected for Dončić, he's still looking forward to playing alongside LeBron James in Los Angeles.

"It's just like a dream come true," Dončić said, via ESPN. "I always looked up to him. There's so many things I can learn from him, and I'm just excited to learn everything and get to play with him. It's an amazing feeling."

He should have an easy time adjusting to his new teammates in his expected debut, as the Jazz sit at No. 14 in the Western Conference standings with a 12-37 record. They're also allowing 118.6 points per game, the fifth-most in the NBA.

Tip-off between Los Angeles and Utah on Monday is at 10:30 p.m. ET.