LA wasn't expected to get the third seed in the Western Conference after the shocking trade where they got Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks for Anthony Davis and Max Christie. It was a deal made with the future in mind for the Lakers,

The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks are looking at staging a preseason game in Las Vegas, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. Assuming they both played, this would pit the Lakers' Luka Dončić and Mavericks' Anthony Davis against their old teams.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks are expected to face off in Las Vegas for an early preseason matchup in October, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line. The meeting would mark another high-profile clash between Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis,