The offseason is usually when NBA stars unwind with vacations, family time, and maybe a little light training before the grind begins again. But Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic had other plans. Instead of a beach getaway, he went all-in on transforming his body, and the results are staggering.

In just a few months, Doncic reportedly shed 31 pounds through an intense combination of diet and relentless workouts. Photos of his leaner frame spread across social media, and Slovenian outlet POP TV confirmed that the Lakers guard took his conditioning more seriously than ever before. By July 2025, Doncic was almost unrecognizable. “A whole different beast,” as Lakers assistant coach Nate McMillan put it.

This drastic change set the stage for EuroBasket 2025, where Doncic is expected to lead Slovenia once again. But not everyone seems convinced that the narrative should revolve around his weight loss.

And New York Knicks forward Guerschon Yabusele, representing France at EuroBasket, is firmly one of them. Speaking about Slovenia’s superstar, Yabusele made it clear that his team wasn’t going to get caught up in the hype: “I don’t think our goal is to watch how he changes his body during the summer. It’s not just about Luka. There are a lot of tough teams in our group. So we’re focusing on ourselves.”

It wasn’t a jab at Doncic’s transformation, but the tone carried a stern message: France wasn’t buying into the weight-loss storyline. Instead, Yabusele reminded everyone that EuroBasket is about teams, not individuals, no matter how spectacular one player might be.

Still, brushing off the transformation entirely would miss the point. Doncic’s offseason was unlike anything he’d done before. He dropped from around 230 pounds (after once peaking close to 260) to a much leaner version of himself through a gluten-free, low-sugar diet, high-protein meals, and intermittent fasting. His training program, designed by a hand-picked “body team,” included two grueling 90-minute sessions daily in Croatia.

This wasn’t just about shedding pounds. It was about building endurance, explosiveness, and durability. Critics have long pointed to Doncic’s conditioning as a weakness; some even suggested it contributed to calf injuries and inconsistent availability. After being limited to 50 games in 2024-25 and traded midseason from Dallas to Los Angeles, he knew it was time to silence those doubts.

This transformation marks a career turning point. For years, Doncic’s talent has never been in question; his averages with the Lakers post-trade (28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists) prove that. But his critics always circled back to discipline. By losing 31 pounds and committing to an entirely new lifestyle, Doncic isn’t just proving doubters wrong; he’s positioning himself for his best NBA season yet.

It’s no coincidence that on August 2, 2025, the Lakers rewarded him with a three-year, $165 million maximum extension. The franchise has fully embraced him as its new cornerstone, a sign of faith that coincided perfectly with his physical reinvention.

Yabusele and Doncic’s Shared History

Yabusele’s comment adds spice to the story because these two aren’t strangers. They were teammates at Real Madrid back in 2017-18, winning the EuroLeague title together. Since then, their paths have crossed multiple times internationally, most notably when France defeated Slovenia at both the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and EuroBasket 2022.

In those encounters, Doncic often dazzled individually (like his 36-point masterpiece in Cologne), but Yabusele and France had the last laugh as a team. That history makes his words in 2025 feel less like trash talk and more like a subtle reminder: Slovenia may have Luka Doncic, but France knows how to win against him.

For Slovenia, the task ahead is daunting. They’ve landed in Group D alongside Poland, Belgium, Israel, Iceland, and, of course, France. Doncic’s presence instantly makes them dangerous, but questions remain about their depth without past veterans like Goran Dragic or Vlatko Cancar.

Meanwhile, Yabusele’s French squad is also without some of its biggest names, no Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert, or Evan Fournier, but they remain formidable. With Yabusele anchoring the frontcourt, France still has the size, depth, and discipline to make noise.

Slovenia’s opener against Poland and the sold-out clash with France are already circled on the calendar. And thanks to Doncic’s transformation and Yabusele’s pointed remark, the matchup just got even juicier.

What makes this EuroBasket different is Doncic’s balancing act. On one hand, he’s Slovenia’s captain, carrying the weight of national pride. On the other hand, he’s the new face of the Lakers, already integrated into their culture and vision. His decision to fly straight from Los Angeles to Slovenia after signing his extension reflects how seriously he takes both commitments.

Even Lakers brass have shown support. Reports of Rob Pelinka and possibly Jeanie Buss visiting Doncic in Katowice underscore how invested they are in his international journey. It’s not just about NBA titles anymore; it’s about legacy on both fronts.

So while Guerschon Yabusele insists France won’t be distracted by Luka Doncic’s weight loss, the storyline won’t fade anytime soon. For Doncic, the 31-pound transformation is more than a summer side note; it’s a milestone, a statement, and possibly the foundation for the next stage of his career.

And when Slovenia and France meet at EuroBasket 2025, we’ll see whose approach pays off: Doncic’s new body and renewed drive, or Yabusele’s reminder that basketball is bigger than one man.

What do you think, will Luka Doncic’s transformation give Slovenia the edge at EuroBasket, or is Guerschon Yabusele right to believe that team strength matters more than one superstar’s body change? Share your thoughts below.