The trade that shocked the NBA world – sending Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Dončić – is still in its early stages, but both teams

After a challenging start to his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Doncic is optimistic about his path to regaining top form. Despite the Lakers' narrow 100-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets, Doncic, still shaking off the rust from a six-week layoff due to a calf strain, views every game as a step forward in his recovery.

The Slovenian superstar played in both of the Lakers’ final two games before the All-Star break, but he logged only 47 total minutes while the Lakers eased him back into competition. Doncic then got several days of recovery while the rest of the NBA’s top players convened in San Francisco for the All-Star Game.