Luka Doncic’s offseason transformation is already making waves. After a serious offseason transformation, the Los Angeles Lakers star is much slimmer, quicker, and jumping higher, and his Slovenian teammates are not shy about saying it.
They are pretty convinced that fans are about to see the best version of Doncic yet. Edo Muric, who has played alongside Doncic for many years with the Slovenian national team, noticed the changes right away.
“He’s faster and jumps more. … This year, I expect him to be the best version of himself.” Murić told Pijus Sapetk of BasketNews.
Another one of Doncic’s teammates, guard Aleksej Nikolic, agreed, saying Doncic is “in a lot better shape” and that defending him has become even tougher. So what is behind the upgrade? Doncic went all in this summer, shedding his weight through a strict diet, intense workouts, intermittent fasting, and a high-protein regimen.
New and improved Luka Doncic is coming for the crown
It is clear that his motivation is not just about looking good; he is laser-focused on reaching the very top of the NBA mountain and finally capturing that elusive championship ring. After coming so close with the Dallas Mavericks in 2024, you can bet he is hungry for more.
His early games with Slovenia in the EuroBasket warmups show some promising signs. Doncic dropped 19 points against Germany in the first preparation game with efficient shooting and playmaking.
In his second outing, he followed that up with a 26-point first half against Latvia before a minor injury early in the third quarter sidelined him. The good news? He has been cleared to play in his next preparation game against Great Britain.
With some key Slovenian players out this summer, Doncic’s new leadership role and enhanced athleticism are going to be even more critical. For Lakers fans, this offseason makeover could be the key to improving one of Doncic’s biggest weaknesses, which is defense.
He has had some struggles on that end in the past, including the recent playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where they got bounced in a disappointing five games. Now, there is his hope that his added speed and explosiveness might help him lock down opponents better than before.
We will not truly know the full impact until Slovenia plays a game for high stakes or until the Lakers’ 2025-26 season gets underway. The Lakers' first game is set for October 21 at home against the Golden State Warriors.
All eyes will be onDoncic to see if this new, leaner version of him can push both his game and the team to new heights.