Luka Doncic has been one of the hottest topics in the NBA at the moment. With the 25-year-old getting traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, fans and critics are still trying to wrap their heads around what exactly went down. With all the focus on Jimmy Butler vs. Miami Heat fiasco, the trade between Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis came out of the blue. However, now that the deal is done, there has been a surge of curiosity about how soon Doncic will don the gold and purple jersey.

Luka Doncic (Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez/ Imagn Images)

And, well, the exact timeline is much sooner than anybody imagined. As per reports, Luka Doncic is all set to make his debut on Monday against the Utah Jazz.

According to an X post from Marc Stein, “Luka Dončić is targeting Monday against Utah for his Lakers debut, @TheSteinLine has learned. He returned to 5-on-5 play in practice this week and is said to be progressing well in his ramp up from his left calf strain on Christmas.”

This is surely an exciting prospect for the newly signed Lakers star. Meanwhile, commenting on the blockbuster trade, Shaquille O’Neal chimed in with an interesting take.

Shaquille O’Neal Declares Clear Winner Of The Luka Doncic Trade

Ever since the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade took place, there has been a surge of speculation. Many renowned athletes have joined in, and Shaquille O’Neal is one of them. Chiming in with his take, O’Neal declared a clear winner of the trade.

“I think Dallas got better of the trade, for the next two years anyway,” O’Neal stated on ‘NBA on TNT.’

This was a rather surprising take, as the general consensus is quite the opposite. Fans are opining that Davis lacks the star power of Doncic. And with LeBron James, the Lakers might as well become a champion. Thus, with rumors galore, it remains to be seen how things pan out.

Will Luka Doncic Sign An Extension With The LA Lakers Or Keep His Options Open?

Luka Doncic (Image Credit: Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers are almost sorted for the coming season after the shocking Luka Doncic trade. But it has hardly a week passed since the blockbuster shuffle that they are in with another concern. Will Luka Doncic sign an extension with the Lakers or keep his options open?

Well, the short term answer to this question is vague. But the long-term answer is- maybe. If the former Dallas Mavericks sensation’s decision carries significant implications for both the franchises. While the Lakers have snagged a superstar, the max contract he’s eligible for this summer is not a guaranteed sign-off, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst pointed out. This uncertainty opens up various avenues for Doncic to assess, including financial benefits and team fit.

“They can offer him $100 million less, so I would say to you it’s not a guarantee for sure that Luka’s gonna rip off a five-year deal in July. He may want to see how things play out. He may take a shorter deal because he no longer has the financial incentive to do it. So, the Lakers have to do some work over the next few months to convince him he wants to get locked in,” Windhorst said.

Currently under contract through the 2025-26 season, Doncic holds a lucrative $48.9 million player option for the following year. The Lakers can propose a four-year, $229 million contract, but the sizable financial gap has to be taken care of. And as Windhorst said, Luka will take some time to envision what the Lakers camp holds for him. And then only he could make any firm decisions.

More Details Emerge On Luka Doncic Trade

After the dust has settled a bit, details about the shocking Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade emerge. Initially, when the news broke, many, including insiders, suspected a hacking incident concerning ESPN’s Shams Charania, who first reported the trade. Speculation ran rampant as media members scrambled to understand how a player of Doncic’s caliber could be on the move.

It was also speculated that he had initiated the request. However, Mavericks GM Nico Harrison clarified that the decision to trade Doncic was entirely his own. And Doncic reportedly was unaware that negotiations were even happening.

The trade involved the Mavericks sending Doncic and two other players to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a future first-round draft pick. The secrecy surrounding the negotiations is perhaps the most surprising aspect. And especially in a league known for its chatter and gossip.

Not even Danny Ainge, the Jazz’s GM who played a pivotal role in facilitating the transaction, was fully informed until shortly before the deal’s completion. However, some analysts believe the Mavericks may have a better chance of winning a championship this season with Davis.