The basketball world is still in shock from the news of the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks, with Anthony Davis heading in the opposite direction. This deal caught everyone off guard, including LeBron James! It was driven entirely by the two front offices, with visions of both franchises aligning perfectly.

While everyone is still trying to wrap their head around the deal. The entire Lakers Nation now has one question in mind: When will they see Luka Doncic dawn the Lakers jersey for the first time? Well, they’ll have to be patient for now, but not for long! As things stand the Slovenian is still recovering from his calf strain and hasn’t suited up since Christmas day.

However, Doncic could soon step on the hardwood alongside his teammate LeBron James. He’s targeting February 8th for his return as per NBA Insider Marc Stein. This will be massive for the league, as everyone will be glued to their screens watching the perennial All-Star play for the Los Angeles-based franchise. Based on this, we could see Luka could make his highly-anticipated debut in front of Lakers fans with their three-game homestand starting on February 6th.

They host the Golden State Warriors on the 6th followed by their game against the Pacers on the 8th and finally, the Jazz pay them a visit on the 10th. On a much more interesting note, L.A. will also host the Mavericks on 25 February. This game could possibly be the most-watched regular season game in recent memory! As everyone eagerly waits. That being said, let’s see what can the Lakers Nation expect from Luka Doncic and how has he fared this season.

How has Luka Doncic’s season been so far? What can the Lakers Nation expect on his return?

The expectations will be off the charts as Luka Doncic gears up for his Debut in Los Angeles. Before suffering the calf injury which has sidelined the 25-year-old now for over a month. He was playing at an All-Star if not better. Doncic was averaging just over 28 points along with 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game.

Last season, he finished third in the MVP rankings after leading the Mavs to the Championship finals, where they ultimately fell short. As for what Doncic brings to the table for L.A. Well, defensively he’s a downgrade from Davis. However, his offensive skillset is second to none! Moreover, he and LeBron together will be an absolute treat to watch, as they will create offensive fireworks! Will his offensive explosiveness compensate for his lack of defense?

The Lakers currently are fifth with a 28-29 record chasing a playoff spot. So, they just need a few wins before they move up the charts. Certainly, there might be a few aspects that the Lakers will have to figure out. However, the chance to sign a player of Doncic’s caliber comes once in a blue moon! Moreover, they have an heir to LeBron further assuring the franchise’s future.