The Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February because general manager Nico Harrison wasn't comfortable building the team around a player he believed wasn't in elite shape and didn't play strong defense.
Doncic's work ethic and conditioning were publicly and privately bashed by the Mavericks after the blockbuster trade with the Lakers, who lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of this year's playoffs despite having Doncic and LeBron James.
Photos of Doncic looking skinnier emerged this week while the star watched a Real Madrid game in Spain.
According to Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times, there are people in Doncic‘s camp who feel the All-Star is in store for a big offseason because of the humiliation he felt in the discussions about his work ethic and conditioning after he was traded from the Mavericks.
“Without trying to gauge whether Doncic is in awesome shape or in a flattering T-shirt, I will say this: There were people in his camp who felt as though he was in store for a big offseason because of the humiliation he felt in the discussions about his work ethic and conditioning after he was traded from Dallas,” Woike wrote.
“With EuroBasket getting underway in late August, the Lakers should expect a fully engaged Doncic whenever he gets back to Los Angeles.”
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic
Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists with the Lakers in the regular season after the Mavericks traded him in February. He then averaged 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game in the Timberwolves series.
The Lakers can sign Doncic to a four-year, $229 million contract starting on August 2. Doncic will make $46 million next season.
The 26-year-old Doncic has career averages of 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists. He's still looking to win his first NBA championship.