According to Slovenia national team assistant coach Greg St. Jean, who also serves as an assistant for the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Doncic is still ramping up after a long break from full-speed competition. While Doncic has looked sharp in flashes during EuroBasket play, his coach says this summer is about more than just wins; it’s about building toward a big season with the Lakers.
"I think he's done a fantastic job working hard the entire summer. And that's something that we're going to wait and see. But that's the goal, right, is for him to continue to be able to push and play," St. Jean told BasketNews . "He's somebody who plays a lot of heavy minutes, and he carries a heavy load. So that's going to be important for him as he continues to improve his conditioning. But we're really proud of him and he's done a great job so far."
Doncic has been going viral this summer as he's in the best shape of his life. This slimmer, sleeker Luka has come a long way from being exiled from the Mavericks, but even St. Jean says that the work has only just begun.
"I think it's still a work in progress," St. Jean said. "I think the summer's not over yet. And he's going to continue to get better. I think we'll continue to see as he gets more in-game shape with some rhythm. He's been doing a lot of training, and now he's going to be playing five-on-five competition."
Dropping a few pounds was only half the equation for Doncic. To truly reach his maximum potential, he'll have to improve his durability and stamina so that he can stay consistent for all four quarters on the court. That contrasts greatly with Doncic's time in Dallas, when he would be so worn out at the end of games that he'd struggled to play up to his standards.
In Los Angeles, Doncic has been inspired to pursue a different path and rectify his mistakes of the past. In the process, he hopes to dominate with the Lakers and lead them to success as the ultimate vindication for his NBA career.
The process started this summer, as he entered a new training regimen and diet plan. Most importantly, he's been spending time in the gym and on the court helping Slovenia in this year's EuroBasket tournament.
Already, Doncic is becoming the biggest story of the summer with his new body, and it's all shaping up for him to finally maximize his NBA potential. The Lakers, who believed in him from the start, stand to gain the most from this summer of transformation from Doncic, and it could result in another historic title run.
As the 2025-26 campaign approaches, the pressure will only grow for Luka Doncic to deliver. With LeBron James nearing the end and the Western Conference wide open, the Lakers are hoping their young star’s revamped body and mindset can carry them to the top after averaging 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game last season.
For Doncic, this season is about making things right and proving that he can be exactly who the Lakers need. The tools have always been there. Now, the conditioning, leadership, and hunger are finally catching up. If everything clicks, the league might be in for a new kind of Luka-led dominance.
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