The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Doncic on Saturday, and the Golden State Warriors worked out a trade for Jimmy Butler on Wednesday.
However, neither newcomer will be on the floor Thursday night when the Warriors visit the Lakers.
Both teams made big moves prior to Thursday’s trade deadline in hopes of bettering their Western Conference postseason chances.
The Lakers acquired Doncic in a deal that included Anthony Davis going to the Dallas Mavericks. Andrew Wiggins was the big piece Golden State sent to the Miami Heat to land Butler.
Doncic hasn’t played since Christmas Day due to a calf injury, but Lakers coach JJ Redick said he could make this team debut either Saturday against the Indiana Pacers or Monday against the Utah Jazz.
Doncic participated in a 5-on-5 game with reserves and coaches on Wednesday.
“We’re kind of just assessing it day-by-day. We hope to have him back within the next few games,” Redick told reporters. “He was a participant. We just had non-contact practice. But we got some good work in for about 45 minutes. And he’ll have a stay-ready game at some point.
“And over the next two days, Thursday, Friday, he’ll have some more opportunities to play live basketball.”
The trade involving Butler still needs approval by the NBA.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after Wednesday’s 131-128 road loss to the Utah Jazz that he wasn’t allowed to discuss the trade because it wasn’t finalized. But he spoke about how much he will miss Wiggins and how he would like the trade deadline to be moved to the All-Star break.
“This is hard,” Kerr said of the timing. “This is the business. We know that. We talk about it periodically. So everyone moves on and you say your goodbyes.”
Kerr notified his players of the deal about an hour before tipoff. In addition to Wiggins, Dennis Schroder (Utah), Kyle Anderson (Miami) and Lindy Waters III (Detroit Pistons) were sent packing on a night in which Jonathan Kuminga (ankle) and Marcus Moody (back) sat out with injuries.
“Very sad moment, obviously, just an hour before tipoff, we lost four of our brothers,” guard Brandin Podziemski told NBC Sports Bay Area. “So it was sad. There were some tears, but at the end of the day, we have to do our job.
“We’re a lot of people down now, and someone else has to step up, and that’s what I’m here to do.”
Podziemski scored a career-best 29 points on Wednesday, just shy of the 32 scored by Stephen Curry. It was Curry’s first 30-point effort since Jan. 15.
Golden State gave up 75 second-half points against the Jazz and badly collapsed in the final minutes.
The Warriors led 122-111 after Draymond Green sank two free throws with three minutes remaining. Utah scored the next eight points to start a game-ending 20-6 surge as Golden State dropped to .500 at the 50-game mark.
The Lakers are 2-0 against the Warriors this season and recorded a 118-108 victory in San Francisco on Jan. 25. Los Angeles also beat host Golden State 115-113 on Dec. 25.
Los Angeles has won three straight games and nine of its past 11. The Lakers beat the Washington Wizards by 38, the New York Knicks by 16 and the Los Angeles Clippers by 25 in their past three outings.
LeBron James had 26 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in the 122-97 rout of the Clippers. Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura each added 20 points for the Lakers.
“It’s all about what you’re going to do to help your team be successful,” Reaves said. “And the way we came out with the energy, the effort defensively, we’re flying around, really paying attention to the details in the game plan. It was one of our best performances all year.”
The Lakers reportedly are close to a deal to acquire Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams. Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish would head to Charlotte.
–Field Level Media
