Lakers star Luka Doncic, who has faced criticism over the years for his conditioning, weight, and workout habits, is on the cover of the latest issue of Men’s Health and is the subject of a handful of feature stories from the magazine as a result of the work he has put in this offseason.
In addition to their cover story on Doncic, Men’s Health published separate articles about the star guard’s intense summer training regimen and the gluten-free, low-sugar diet he has been on since the Lakers’ season ended.
As Andrew Heffernan and Ebenezer Samuel of Men’s Health detail, Doncic let manager Lara Beth Seager know the day after Los Angeles was eliminated from the playoffs that he wanted to dedicate this offseason to improving his body and his conditioning — and that he wanted to start that work immediately.
“Every summer I try my best to work on different things,” said Doncic, who took a month off from any basketball activities after the season as he focused on his training. “Obviously, I’m very competitive. This summer was just a little bit different, you know. It kind of motivated me to be even better.”
As Dan Woike of The Athletic observes, Doncic began working with trainer Anže Maček and physiotherapist Javier Barrio back in 2023, so the idea of embarking upon a stricter workout program didn’t materialize overnight — some sources in the 26-year-old’s inner circle believe he would’ve taken this path toward a physical transformation even if he was still in Dallas, according to Woike.
But calf issues last season set Doncic back, and the fact that the Mavericks cited his conditioning and work habits after making the shocking decision to trade him in February provided some extra fuel as he began his new training program this spring. The photos shared by Men’s Health show a more toned, slimmed-down version of the five-time All-Star.
“Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better,” Doncic acknowledged.
After spending much of the offseason in Europe, Doncic is back in the United States this week doing promotional work for Jordan Brand. According to Woike, Doncic is headed to Chicago and then to Los Angeles after making multiple appearances in New York City.
It’s likely not a coincidence, Woike writes, that Doncic’s stop in L.A. will line up with August 2, the day the restrictions on his contract extension eligibility lift.
While there has long been a sense that Doncic would likely sign some form of extension with the Lakers this offseason, there was speculation that it might happen later in the year, once his obligations to the Slovenian national team had wrapped up. But it now looks like there will be an opening for a deal to get done as soon as this weekend, before he heads back overseas for EuroBasket.
As he gears up for this year’s EuroBasket tournament and the coming NBA season, Doncic made it clear that he intends to keep up his new regimen, since he doesn’t work his work this offseason to “all (be) for nothing.”
“This year, with my team, I think we did a huge step,” he said. “But this is just the start, you know. I need to keep going. Can’t stop.”
If you haven’t seen the article, click the link and take a look – his chubby cheeks are gone, it looks like he’s lost ~20 lbs of fat.
Considering the Lakers’ roster, he could avg 33 ppg + (if he can avoid the injuries that have plagued him).
This is the bitter ex story in NBA form.
Still won’t play defense and complain every time he doesn’t get a call.
Luka is a good defender against forwards and bigger guards. Against the Wolves Luka was minus 5.5 across all 5 games. In the non-sick games he was minus 3.5 per game (he was minus 16 the sick game).
Meanwhile both LeBron and Reaves were minus 11 each across all 5 games.
Luka was not the reason the Lakers lost.
I was about to say you’re crazy but the advanced metrics don’t think he’s a negative on D.
Yup… every year his primary defensive assignment has performed worse against him than their average against the rest of the league.
As Celtic’s Brien said they weren’t targeting Luka cause he is a bad defender, but to tire him out to show dish his offense or get him in too trouble.
He can’t guard Antman or curry, but then who can, especially a 6’7 player.
Clueless..
I’d be pissed if I was a Mavs fan that this guy waits until he gets traded to get into the best shape in his life.
This is actually not the first time Luka has gotten in shape during an offseason. Consistency is question. We’ll see. Rotting for him.
j817:
I don’t ever remember seeing him in this kind of shape before though. Nowhere near it from what I can recall.
I meant to say “rooting for him”. There were years when he played for his national team over the offseason and looked similar. It’s one thing to get in shape in the offseason. The question is if he can maintain doing the season.
j817:
Yeah, I realize he didn’t want him to rot lol. Yeah I know he’s gotten in better shape in the past than normal but I’ve never seen him look like this. If he did, I don’t think he would’ve lost it so soon. I need visual evidence. Lol.
The Mavs fans got rookie of the year, then 5 time first team All NBA, conference finals and NBA finals with an otherwise subpar team.
The only person the Mavs fans are upset at is Nico!!!
Johnnybgood:
I’d still be annoyed Luca. Why didn’t he put this kind of commitment in before?
Because once you get a taste of the LA lifestyle you become addicted. Just look at the names through history. Blonde bombshell models. In Dallas kids lunch comes with coca cola and fritos. In LA The kids drink an erewhon smoothie. Lukas is young and impressionable and wants to FIT IN. This is human nature. Of course he will manipulate his physical appearance..
Please, I have been to LA and have seen a fair share of fat kids. Idk the ratio of fat kids compared to DFW. Maybe DFW could have more idk. I think Luka’s motivation is proving Nico wrong. I doubt LA culture has anything it.
In Dallas you are praised for being fat. In LA you are praised for being skinny. How many offensive lineman are from Los Angeles vs Texas? It’s just different there.
I can’t think of any great offensive lineman coming out of Dallas. We had one who played for the Cowboys named Tyron Smith from LA. When I think great OL I think Wisconsin maybe. I don’t think Texas. Also I don’t think there is any where on the planet that praises people for be fat.
As the article says he got this team together in 2023. He went into the playoffs in 2024 (finals year) with both his legs injured, then Rudy injured his ribs. The team said that if it wasn’t the playoffs he wouldn’t have played for 6 weeks. He was playing with a knee brace against OKC that he took off cause he couldn’t move. He was hobbled against Boston and he was still the best player on the court.
So, 2024 offseason he needed to stay off his legs for 6 weeks to heal. Cannot get in shape when you need to be off your legs.
Really? Ever seen YouTube of a guy in a wheelchair skateboarding? Not having use of your legs doesnt preclude you from exercise, you just approach it differently. How do you think Jason tatum and Tyre haliburton are rehabbing? You think they just cry and play video games because their leg injured? No. These are pros with trainers and money at their disposal
Lots of people do in fact condition themselves while injured. He is not the only person with a lower body injury in 2024. The other ones didn’t all come back fat.
Fat Luka 5 time 1st team All NBA, and widely regarded top 3 or worst case top 5 in the NBA since his second year in the league.
And until Wemby came into the league every year the league executive poll had his overwhelming choice for player to start a franchise with.
As Antmsn said after Luka’s trade that he doesn’t care if Luka is 300 lbs. He is a walking 30 point triple double and best offensive player in the league.
I just really hope he doesnt overtrain and get an injury. Young guy moves to LA. Sees blonde models everywhere in skimpy clothes. He sees rich handsome men picking them up. Luka knows he looks like a truck driver so he decides to lose weight. Body dysmorphia thanks to years of online bullying (I’m looking at all of you). He cares more about his looks than basketball and next thing he is injured and hopped up on pills. Lakers trade him to Memphis where he plays out his final years at Graceland. A very sad story…Hollywood changes you
Yeah, Luka would’ve had problems picking up women before his physique change, LOL!!!
He’s married and a father but go off I guess
Yeah like that’s stopped anyone before (*rolls eyes*)
*returns said eyes* might need those.
I’d argue money and fame changes you; Hollywood is a good playground for that.
Yep. I had a friend from high school Tony. He used to be able to do a backflip standing in place. Athletic kid. Moved to LA thinking he could get booked on a late night show. Obviously that wasn’t enough. He didn’t really have the drive either. But the lifestyle pulled him in. He lost a lot of weight and he was already thin. His eyes looked hollowed out. Yes, drugs. Not saying Luka is doing drugs but they are very available and in vogue whereas in Dallas the police pull you over for the faint odor of weed (but will tell you to drink it off and drive home…of course)
This offseason the Lakers have added:
1. Three net legit rotation players. They lost DFS, but added Ayton, Smart, LaRavia and Maxi.
2. Added a much needed legit center and point of attack defender, and a hussle defender with LaRavia who happens to be a very good 3 point shooter.
Also, last playoffs the Lakers were injury plagued. Ruiz’s leg was injured, Bron coming off of groin injury. Reaves broken toe, DFS messed up ankle all season (had surgery after playoffs), and Luka sick at least one game.
If the new additions are just good, not great, and the Lakers healthy, with the whole team playing together all season look, and a pissed off top 2 or 3 NBA player, I think they come out of the West. And whoever comes out of the West is winning it all this year.
Gee we are so glad at 27 Luka is working out in off season …. Finally . should we throw a parade
The OneWay Wonder …..
Haters gotta hate.
and now he’s skinny, Draymond will bully him nonstop