EL SEGUNDO — The Lakers are coming out of All-Star weekend simultaneously in a better position than they’ve been in after the midseason break the past few years, while also working through several changes.

The trade deadline acquisition of star guard Luka Doncic and the departure of All-Star big Anthony Davis changed the team’s complexion and outlook for the season.

The Lakers are coming out of the break with a 32-20 record, sitting at the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference standings with 30 games remaining entering tonight’s home game against the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena. They’re two games ahead of the No. 6 Clippers and three games ahead of the No. 7 Minnesota Timberwolves, a half-game behind the No. 4 Houston Rockets and 2 1/2 games behind the No. 3 Denver Nuggets.

After a busy few weeks ahead of the break, here are three storylines to keep an eye on for the remainder of the regular season:

Incorporating Doncic

The Lakers are only starting to scratch the surface when it comes to integrating their newest superstar.

Through two games, a blowout whole win against the Utah Jazz and a road loss to the Jazz right before the All-Star break, Doncic is averaging 15 points, 4.5 rebounds and four assists.

It’s understandable for Doncic’s statistical production to be what it has been in his past couple of games.

Doncic was coming off being sidelined for six weeks because of a strained left calf before making his Lakers debut in the Feb. 10 win over the Jazz.

He’s been on a minutes restriction in both games, playing 24 and 23 minutes in the matchups.

But in limited action, it’s become apparent what the five-time All-NBA first-team honoree will add to this Lakers team.

Doncic’s playmaking has already stood out, with a handful of behind-the-back passes or passing reads that caught his new teammates off guard.

It was already clear that Doncic would add different layers of production and efficiency to the Lakers’ offense. The Dallas Mavericks finished No. 8 or higher in offensive efficiency in four of the previous five seasons with Doncic at the helm. The Lakers were producing at the rate of a top-eight offense in their previous 10 games before Doncic made his debut.

Coach JJ Redick has said the team has gone through a monthslong process of simplifying the offense, and that’s especially been the case in light of their recent additions.

But the three-man offensive engine of Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves should be able to help the Lakers produce at an even higher level, especially once Doncic is more comfortable.

Small-ball lineups

How often are the Lakers willing to lean on smaller lineups?

The Lakers were already playing a significant amount of minutes with James, Jarred Vanderbilt, Rui Hachimura or Dorian Finney-Smith playing center without another big man on the floor with them.

The team signed Alex Len shortly before the break to back up now-starting big man Jaxson Hayes, but Len hasn’t played significant minutes in a few seasons.

It’s unclear whether they’ll add another big man to the roster.

The Lakers have gone well with their small-big groups, winning those possessions by a decent margin. Whether that sustains for the remainder of the season is something to keep an eye on.

Health

Gabe Vincent (left knee soreness) and Finney-Smith (left ankle soreness) weren’t available in the road loss to the Jazz, with the duo getting the game off to rest pre-existing ailments.

Vincent had left knee surgery last season, while Finney-Smith has been dealing with ankle issues for the past couple of months.

Redick said it was “just standard maintenance” for both Vincent and Finney-Smith.

James didn’t play in Sunday’s All-Star game, citing lingering discomfort in his left foot and ankle.

Hayes suffered a facial contusion in the second game against the Jazz while Doncic could still be under a playing time restriction coming out of the break.