The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a new chapter with the 2025-26 season, one led by two superstars. LeBron James is still dominating the league through sheer discipline and preparation, and Luka Doncic is coming off a fresh start after a transformative summer. Their overlapping greatness promises to take the Lakers as far ahead as possible in their time together. And one renowned trainer has peered into the meticulous habits that keep the engine of their season, LeBron James, going.

Chris Brickley was recently on Michael Porter Jr.’s podcast, giving some insight into one of the hardest workers in the league. Brickley, who has worked with countless NBA stars, talked about how LeBron approaches every single workout.  “LeBron will schedule an 8 a.m. workout, and every single time we’ve ever worked out, he shows up at 6 a.m., and he stretches for an hour, and then does abs, and then lifts. Every single time,” Brickley told MPJ.

Even now, when there’s a scheduled run, LeBron shows up more than an hour early, determined to prepare himself and his body for peak performance. That preparation translates to results even now. “He’s 40 years old, and he’s still in the league and he’s still averaging 27 whatever, a game,” Brickley added on.

For both teammates and rivals, LeBron’s longevity is no accident; it’s a product of relentless, obsessive attention to every detail of his routine.

Meanwhile, Luka Doncic has spent his summer making a different kind of transformation. After a season that saw him miss 32 games due to a calf injury and get traded midseason in a blockbuster exchange, he has committed to rebuilding his body and game. Training overseas in Poland and Latvia for EuroBasket 2025, Doncic has emerged stronger, both mentally and physically, and ready to take charge of LA. He told The Athletic, “This feels like a start for me,” describing his new focus and energy.

The stakes for the Lakers are extremely high this season. LeBron, though potent, is aging and nearing retirement, and the league is watching closely to see how their star pairing will translate on the court. The potential synergy they have cultivated, alongside their multitude of offseason pickups, will define the Lakers’ next move as they enter a new era.

The Summer of Transformation For Luka Doncic

Doncic‘s summer wasn’t just about regaining his abilities, but redefining his physical presence. He has strengthened his frame, improved his burst towards the basket, and enhanced his defensive ability, even earning consideration for EuroBasket All-Star First Team awards. He had dominant performances throughout the tournament, averaging 34.7 points per game, including a triple-double against Belgium.

As a leader, he’s taken strides, becoming more vocal with his teammates while still being patient, and has become deliberate in his shaping of team culture. “Every year, he’s more vocal and even more patient with the players because he’s coming from a different level than we are… But now as he’s maturing as he’s older, he gets that. And he’s giving us more and more trust,” said Team Slovenia teammate Edo Muric, also a close friend of Doncic, which demonstrates his growth as the future leader of the franchise.

With Lakers management behind Doncic, the message is clear. Doncic is ready to take on the team’s responsibility for success alongside LeBron James, and perhaps even take over for him one day. “I’m way comfortable… Especially going to training camp, you know, having practice with the guys — like I said, it’s a start for me. But I will feel way more comfortable now,” he said previously. This summer of preparation might be sign for the season ahead, and how he could elevate the Lakers’ title hopes.