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 Philadelphia 76ers and the Dallas Mavericks hooked up on Tuesday to come up with a deal to send Caleb Martin to the Mavs in exchange for Quentin Grimes and a 2025 second-round pick. The Sixers are acquiring a sharpshooter in Grimes who is shooting 39.

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.