In response to the conditioning rumors, Dončić said it was a “big motive” to prove the Mavericks’ brass wrong this season, and he could get his first chance as soon as Saturday when the Lakers host the Indiana Pacers. It would mark the first game the five-time All-Star has played in since suffering a calf injury on Christmas Day.

A straight-faced Luka Dončić walked side-by-side next to a smiling Rob Pelinka as they took the podium at the Lakers' practice facility Tuesday morning, less than 72 hours after one of the biggest trades in sports history upended two franchises by sending Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks.

The Lakers formally welcomed Dončić on Tuesday, less than three days after they traded Anthony Davis and Max Christie in a three-team deal for the Slovenian scorer who won his first scoring title last season before leading the Mavs to the NBA Finals. Dončić is a five-time All-NBA selection and a five-time All-Star.