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.

Christie and nine-time All-Star Anthony Davis were sent to Dallas in a blockbuster trade on Sunday that featured the Lakers landing Luka Doncic. Shipping out the franchise’s cornerstone player led to the Mavericks (26-25) being criticized for the deal but Christie adjusted well on the fly while Davis didn’t play on Tuesday due to injury.

The Trail Blazers would likely want to make room to have more minutes for Donovan Clingan, who they recently selected early in the 2024 NBA Draft. For the Lakers, meanwhile, Ayton could have at least some tangible valuable as a player who has postseason experience and tremendous size on the inside.