Luka Dončić is looking leaner and meaner this summer, and everyone’s taking notice. When the Slovenian star was traded in February, many pointed to his conditioning as a possible factor. Reports suggested that his fondness for beer, hookah, and a lax approach to fitness during and between seasons had raised concerns for Nico Harrison, ultimately contributing to the decision to move on. But instead of wallowing in criticism, Luka used it as fuel. The moment the Lakers’ season ended, he got to work. His hard-earned transformation even landed him on the cover of Men’s Health, showcasing a new level of commitment. Still, the journey to get there was far from easy.

Turns out, Luka had to completely change his approach to achieve his goal. He overhauled his routine – switching to a gluten-free, low-sugar diet and training twice a day – all in pursuit of feeling, as he puts it, “more rested,” a state he admits he hasn’t experienced in a long time. He also began intermittent fasting to “limit inflammation and help his body recover better,” which meant no food until after a 90-minute workout. But the biggest challenge? Ditching basketball for a month.

He detailed his struggles in a recent interview at the Yankees game, “Yeah, I was basically in the gym, you know, lifting and then playing other sports. At first, it was very tough to leave basketball behind.” For an athlete who has spent the majority of his life on the hardwood, it wasn’t easy to let go of his beloved sport. However, things got easier with each passing day. “After one week, I was okay. So, I was mostly playing padel or tennis. So, those two sports.”

So, not only did this new regime test Doncic physically, but also emotionally. But eventually, it was all worth it. “Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better,” Dončić said. And it is clear he needed this time away.

In 2024, he barely had a breather, playing into June with the Mavericks’ NBA Finals run and then quickly switching gears to represent Slovenia in Olympic qualifiers. And then another stretch and a calf strain later, by May, medical tests confirmed he was in good shape physically. But instead of jumping back into training, his performance team, headed by Dr. Ana Maria Barrio, had a different plan.“Just to avoid the basketball court for one month in this offseason,” Barrio said. “We let them put the ball away. We just were doing some other kinds of things.”

And so, for the first time in years, Dončić stepped away from the hardwood. He reconnected with his body in new ways, picking up pickleball and padel, two sports that kept him agile without punishing his joints. But, more than just cross-training, they brought back a childlike joy, reminding him of life before basketball became a career. “When I was a little kid, I played a lot of sports,” Doncic said.

Now, here he is. Recharged and stronger, heading into his first full season with the Lakers.

ESPN analyst claims Laker Nation should be excited as Luka Doncic’s transformation aligns with JJ Redick’s vision

After the Lakers were knocked out by the Timberwolves, JJ Redick highlighted the team’s lack of conditioning as a glaring concern: “We have ways to go as a roster… There’s certainly other ones that could have been in better shape. That’s where my mind goes immediately is we have to get in championship shape.” As stacked as the Lakers were on paper, they were clearly not ready to match up with the young and athletic Anthony Edwards and Co.

However, Luka’s summer transformation would surely give Laker Nation hope that the squad might be ready for the challenge this year. Even ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith believes Doncic’s weight loss is a positive sign: “They (fans) should feel very excited because the superstar basketball player… isn’t satisfied. He’s responded to the challenge to let everybody know that he’s gonna come back and he’s going to be ready. It’s going to show once he steps on the basketball court.”

Of course, Luka’s offensive production was never a problem. But following his transformation, Stephen A. hopes he will no longer be a defensive liability and move better without the ball. With Doncic looking fitter than ever, and several key additions to the roster, Laker Nation would surely be hoping for a deeper playoff run next campaign. Do you think Luka Doncic and Co. can live up to the expectations?