“It’s hilarious” - Insider reacts as Lakers’ Luka Doncic eyes debut against Utah after keeping trade details from Danny Ainge

Luka Doncic’s long-awaited debut for the LA Lakers is on the horizon. Lakers coach JJ Redick revealed Thursday that the former Mavericks star is most likely to make his first appearance Monday against the Utah Jazz — the same team that helped facilitate the three-team deal sending Anthony Davis to Dallas.

ClutchPoints senior Lakers insider Anthony Irwin found humor in the potential timing of Doncic’s first game, considering it could come against the Jazz, whose president is Celtics legend Danny Ainge.

“Obviously a bummer we won’t see Doncic Saturday but I do think it’s hilarious he could make his debut against Utah and Danny Ainge, who reportedly helped the Lakers land Doncic not knowing what he was doing,” Irwin posted on X (formerly Twitter).

According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Tim MacMahon, the Luka Doncic-to-Lakers trade was kept under wraps by Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and Mavericks GM Nico Harrison until the last minute — only revealing it when they needed a third team to complete the deal.

“Even the Utah Jazz, the third team that facilitated the transaction by collecting two second-round picks for absorbing Jalen Hood-Schifino, didn't know Doncic and Davis were a part of the deal until about an hour before it was completed,” their report read, citing sources.

They also noted that Danny Ainge, the longtime Celtics figure now leading the Jazz, had just 30 minutes' notice before Los Angeles secured Doncic as the new face of its franchise.

Since landing Doncic, the Lakers have also acquired center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in a separate deal.

JJ Redick gives update on Luka Doncic’s debut timeline

Lakers fans won’t have to wait much longer to see Luka Doncic in the Purple and Gold. On Thursday, JJ Redick confirmed the 25-year-old has not suffered any setbacks and is expected to debut Monday against the Utah Jazz.

There were rumors that Doncic could return Saturday against the Indiana Pacers, but Redick left that door slightly open.

“Probably more likely Monday. No setbacks. He looked good yesterday,” Redick said.

The Lakers’ upcoming schedule includes back-to-back matchups with teams involved in their recent deals — Utah Jazz (who facilitated the Doncic trade) and the Charlotte Hornets (their trade partners for Mark Williams in exchange for Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish).