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.

The reaction to the Mavericks trading Luka Doncic has generated hurt and anger to a level this area has never seen.

The 2027 first-round pick was the only one Dallas had to offer because NBA rules prohibit trading first-round picks in successive years, and the Mavericks, at the time, owed the Knicks a first-rounder in 2024 or 2025 from the Kristaps Porzingis deal ( it officially became the ‘24 pick in April) and Brooklyn one in 2029 from the Irving deal.

Martin came to the Sixers with huge expectations but was plagued by injuries. He missed the last 12 games. KJ Martin, another Sixers forward, was sidelined Tuesday because of a pending trade.

The Mavericks are optimistic that Caleb Martin can return from a sprained hip in 2-3 weeks after the severity of his injury prompted an amendment of their trade with the 76ers, sources told ESPN.