The Dallas Mavericks-Los Angeles Lakers trade back in February was an eye opener, especially for Luka Doncic. Apparently, Nico Harrison & Co. wanted the 26-year-old out of Dallas not because of his defense, but the underlying fitness. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon even stated that Doncic’s “weight ballooned into the high 260s this season” (although his listed weight is 230 lbs). Reportedly, he had also gained as much as 25 lbs over the years since he was drafted in 2018. Although the summer vacation started earlier for the Lakers, Doncic apparently never got off work.

Along with his fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, the Slovenian chose to grind it out in the gym before his EuroBasket clashes. In late May, the difference was already visible when many thought he had already lost 20-30 lbs when he watched his former team, Real Madrid, compete against Coviran Granada. With a possibility of contract extension with the Lakers ahead, it seems like the push has only gotten harder as the NBA star has again broken the internet.

A fan page on X called Luka Updates recently shared a clip writing, “He makes it look too easy 🔥” In the attached video, he casually drains a shot from half-court. While that was an amazing shot in itself, that was not what the viewers took from it. The clip, originally posted by Gaj Cresnik on his Instagram, showed a noticeably leaner Doncic. Seems like we’re not just in for a transformation. A Luka 2.0 story arc.

Sources estimate Luka shed 30–35 pounds, dropping from around 270 lbs to a sleek 235. That’s the lightest he’s been since his rookie year—and it shows. By March, his footwork looked tight.

Since his midseason move from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers this February, Doncic’s story has been nothing short of cinematic. In just 32 games with the purple and gold, Luka averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 boards, and 7.7 assists. The Lakers finished third in the West, but fatigue hit hard come playoff time. And that’s where the real transformation began.

Come August 2nd, Luka becomes eligible for a 4-year, $229 million contract extension. While it’s not a supermax (blame the midseason trade for that technicality), it’s still enough. The Lakers are ready to lock him in. According to Sportklub, the contract’s already on the table. The only thing standing in the way? EuroBasket 2025. Luka’s national team duties kick off early August, and while that might slow the paperwork shuffle, nobody’s panicking—not even Luka.

Just like in 2021, when he signed his last extension after Olympics duty, he’s taking his time. Chill. Focused. But the basketball world in the meantime? See for yourself!

Luka’s viral video breaks X

The video that sparked all this chaos? It wasn’t just about the shot. It was about the new, focused, ripped Luka. And the LA crowd is ready to see what they got coming in the season. But before that? They’re all-in celebrating for the Slovenian’s work. One fan commented, “Bros mad slim holy.” That was just one of thousands of tweets reacting to Luka’s transformation.

And they’re not wrong. Analysts noticed. Fans noticed. Even Deandre Ayton noticed, calling Luka “super ripped” as he walked “finally on his side.” High praise. But of course, some fans had their concerns.

“Maintaining fitness after EuroBasket will be harder than getting it now…” EuroBasket is no vacation. It’s a grind. We’re talking back-to-back games, cross-country travel, minimal recovery time, and national pride on the line.

But fitness gains made in the calm of offseason retreats can unravel fast. But if anyone can handle the pressure, it’s Luka. After all, he’s done this before. And some fans are already making plans for the season to begin.

One wrote, “No more Luka fat jokes next season.” Let’s be honest—Luka’s weight has been a recurring subplot since 2021. Reggie Miller once called him “plodding.” Reddit threads tracked his midseason bloat like Game 7. And Mavericks insiders even gave him an “excused absence” just to get back in shape. But Luka has heard it all.

Instead of clapping back, he clapped weights. 720-pound squats, clean eating, yoga, HIIT workouts, sleep tracking. Well, it would also answer what a fan asked, “How does he do that tho lol” Clean food. Lean protein. No more gummy bears at halftime. Luka’s routine now includes high-intensity cardio, plyometrics, and recovery protocols. Word is, he’s even been meditating—so yes, the man really is playing chess while others play checkers.

“Holy sh– he looks like a whole different human being.” One tweet captured the vibe perfectly. Luka doesn’t just look fit. He looks locked in. Motivated. Like he heard JJ Redick’s “championship shape” challenge and took it personally. This isn’t just Luka’s personal glow-up. It’s a cultural shift in Lakerland.

Marcus Smart? Slimmed down and refocused. Jarred Vanderbilt? Finally healthy. Maxi Kleber? Ready to be more than a trivia answer. Even Deandre Ayton is reportedly stepping up his conditioning game. And Luka? He’s leading the charge like a point-forward Gandalf. With LeBron potentially entering his final years, the Lakers need a new leader. Someone who understands the weight of the purple and gold—literally and figuratively. This version of Luka Doncic? He’s that guy.

So, where does all this leave us? Luka Doncic is about to sign the biggest contract of his life, lead Slovenia into EuroBasket battle, and return to L.A. as the face of the franchise. The viral video wasn’t just a flex; it was a statement— Luka is just getting started.